by Emmanuel S Nwofe (PhD)
Dementia is a complex disease that poses significant challenges to society. There is increasing evidence that there are some modifiable risk factors associated with risk of dementia. Public health campaigns are promoting risk reduction. However, it is important to understand individual’s understanding of and attitudes towards these risk factors.
In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that black adults have a 20% higher incidence of dementia compared to the general population and are also more likely to die sooner after being diagnosed. This disparity is largely attributed to factors such as higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, delays in diagnosis, and other socioeconomic conditions that contribute to the increased risk of dementia within this community.
Research has identified a significant link between lifestyle behaviours and the risk of dementia, suggesting that addressing modifiable risk factors could reduce the incidence of the disease by at least 45%. This indicates that there is potential to prevent some incidences of dementia. However, the challenge lies in prioritising primary prevention efforts within minority ethnic communities. This includes enhancing public awareness of dementia and its risk factors, addressing health inequalities, and promoting healthy lifestyles and supportive social environments.
These challenges are exacerbated by the fact that many risk factors, including social isolation and loneliness, are often overlooked as public health concerns within these populations. My research, which focuses on dementia prevention among minority ethnic groups, aims to raise awareness about dementia and its associated risk factors, including social isolation and loneliness.
Social isolation refers to the lack of social contact in an individual’s daily life, often due to living alone, limited social ties, or infrequent interactions with others. Loneliness is the emotional response to inadequate social connections or poor-quality relationships. These two concepts are interconnected and can lead to poorer health and well-being outcomes, potentially impacting minority ethnic populations more severely due to socioeconomic inequalities, discrimination, and varying degrees of loneliness susceptibility.
In a scoping review we examined interventions designed to reduce social isolation and loneliness in minority ethnic communities. We found that such interventions are not only limited, but the connection between social isolation, loneliness, and various health risks—including dementia—has not been clearly established or acknowledged.
The next stage of my research is to explore the perceptions and knowledge of dementia and its risk factors in Black African-Caribbean communities, aiming to identify any stigma and misconceptions surrounding the disease to enhance our prevention strategies. The focus is on social isolation and loneliness, seeking to identify socioeconomic factors that may contribute to individuals’ experiences and attitudes towards these issues.
Understanding how older individuals from Black African-Caribbean communities cope with social isolation and loneliness is critical, especially given the longstanding assumption that people within the community tend to look after their own. It is important to examine the role of community associations or centres in protecting against social isolation and loneliness. Fostering a sense of belonging within a group or neighbourhood increases trust and strengthens community connections. Therefore, it is crucial to identify how informal group associations, gatherings, and meetings serve as vital protective factors in reducing social isolation and loneliness, particularly in Black African and Caribbean communities.
This research aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Action on Public Health Responses to Dementia, focusing specifically on raising awareness and reducing the risk of dementia. It also adheres to NICE recommendations for delaying or preventing the onset of dementia, particularly by increasing understanding of its risk factors. A key aspect of public health systems, both internationally and nationally, is the management and reduction of health risks. This research supports the advocacy role of public health by ensuring that essential messages about dementia prevention empower diverse individuals and communities to make positive health changes. Additionally, stigma and misconceptions are well-documented barriers to help-seeking behaviours for various health conditions, especially among black and minority ethnic communities. This research aims to create tailored educational and campaign resources that reduce the stigmatising perceptions of dementia, encourage community involvement, promote help-seeking opportunities, and inform the development of targeted, effective interventions across different care settings, including public health, social and community care, and the wider third sector services.
