Addressing Neurocognitive Disorders, Dementias, and Alzheimer's Disease in Colonias of the Lower Rio Grande Valley: Establishing a Research Foundation Using Promotores.

Addressing Neurocognitive Disorders, Dementias, and Alzheimer's Disease in Colonias of the Lower Rio Grande Valley: Establishing a Research Foundation Using Promotores. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(Suppl 2):775-780 Authors: Garza N, Uscamayta-Ayvar M, Maestre GE Abstract Several Texas communities along the Mexican border, including the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), are home to low-income Hispanic populations, many of whom live in underserved communities known as colonias. These areas have high incidences of neurocognitive disorders, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (AD); health care strategies that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for the area are needed. We aim to build capacity to reduce risk, facilitate treatment, and provide caregiver support for affected individuals. However, gaining trust of communities and presenting information about research studies in a way that is culturally appropriate is critical for engagement of underserved communities. This brief report examines our work with local community health workers.(CHWs), promotores in Spanish, to establish contact with, engage, mobilize, and educate the Hispanic communities of the LGRV. Lessons from the succesful experience of training promotores in autism spectrum disorder in the LRGV highlight the importance of specifically addressing outreach in health fairs, clinic vists and referral as well as adequate selection, training, management, and support of the promotores ...
Source: Ethnicity and Disease - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: Ethn Dis Source Type: research