Latinas are not aware of the connection between cardiovascular risk and Alzheimer’s Disease

A recent study interviewing Latinas in their 30s and 40s found that a majority of them did not know that there was a link between cardiovascular risk (CVR) and Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD). This is super disheartening since CVR is highly treatable during midlife. Many of these women live in rural and/or agricultural regions so sometimes access to a doctor/physician doesn’t come as easily as in the city.

Because many of these women were also in agricultural regions, they were well aware of the consequences of pesticide exposure. One thing I do wish they would inform agricultural workers on is the long term effects of pesticides. It’s not just AD. It’s birth defects, Parkinson’s Disease among a myriad of other neurological disorders. When my mom worked in the fields, they never once mentioned to her what harm they could cause, simply that it was better for her not to get near it. It’s important for these agricultural workers to be informed in their native language, as well. Providing pamplets in Spanish or a brief video on harms are easy solutions to prevention/awareness.

Read the full article here OR https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20195-4