Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
2019

The issue of dementia in migrants and ethnic minorities: the perspective of National Dementia Plans (Article)

Canevelli M.* , Zaccaria V. , Lacorte E. , Cova I. , Gervasi G. , Cascini S. , Bargagli A.M. , Di Fiandra T. , Pomati S. , Pantoni L. , Vanacore N.
  • a Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Viale dell’Università 30, Rome, 00185, Italy, National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
  • b Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University, Viale dell’Università 30, Rome, 00185, Italy, National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
  • c National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
  • d Center for Research and Treatment on Cognitive Dysfunctions, “Luigi Sacco” University Hospital, Milan, Italy
  • e National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
  • f Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Service, Lazio Region, Rome, Italy
  • g Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Service, Lazio Region, Rome, Italy
  • h General Directorate for Health Prevention, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
  • i Center for Research and Treatment on Cognitive Dysfunctions, “Luigi Sacco” University Hospital, Milan, Italy
  • j Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  • k National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of dementia among individuals with a migration background and composing ethnic minorities is being recognized as a global public health issue. Aims: In the present study, we sought to explore if and how this phenomenon is mentioned and addressed by the existing National Dementia Plans (NDPs). Methods: The 32 NDPs listed on the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)’s website were considered for the present analysis. First, the plans mentioning the issue of dementia among migrants and/or ethnic minorities were identified. Subsequently, the sections addressing this topic and the pertaining proposed actions were analyzed and their contents were unbundled in descriptive categories. Results: Overall, nine NDPs (28.1% of the total), namely those promulgated by Australia, Austria, England, Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Taiwan, United States, and Wales, mentioned the issue of dementia among migrants and/or ethnic minorities and only eight proposed targeted actions to tackle this issue. With few exceptions, the proposed strategies were only marginally dashed within NDPs and crucial information on their objectives, timeline, conduction, and monitoring was missing. Discussion and conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to describe and discuss how the issue of dementia among migrants and ethnic minority groups is addressed within NDPs. The issue of dementia in migrants and ethnic minorities is assuming a growing relevance under a of global health perspective. The timely identification and implementation of dedicated policies at the national and international level are fundamental to limit its future clinical and socioeconomic burden. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Author Keywords

Global health Dementia Migration health inequalities cognitive disturbances cross-cultural assessment

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85073965707&doi=10.1007%2fs40520-019-01340-1&partnerID=40&md5=fdbf6f3164ac0a6fc8241ac1009b115c
DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01340-1
ISSN: 15940667
Original Language: English