African American Alzheimer's Advisory Council
Happy Juneteenth from the 4AC and all of us at the CUACC!
As we commemorate Juneteenth, we honor the historic day of emancipation and celebrate the resilience of the African American community as we commit to the ongoing fight against health inequities. At the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center, The African American Alzheimer's Advisory Council (4AC) is dedicated to addressing the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias on African Americans. Through culturally sensitive education, outreach, and research, we aim to dispel stigma and enhance support for caregivers and those affected by neurodegenerative disease. Together, we strive to ensure equitable access to care, research, and resources for all.
Juneteenth holds personal significance to one of the 4AC members, Dr. Margie Ball-Cook. Read what she has to say by clicking here.
The African American Alzheimer’s Advisory Council (4AC) was established in 2018 to help dispel the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and increase awareness for caregivers in the Colorado African American community, through education and outreach efforts. They develop educational materials for their community, attend community health fairs, and put on events such as Dementia Dialogues, where they share their experiences with dementia with the community. They also counsel the CU Alzheimer's and Cognition Center in their community education and recruitment endeavors, to encourage African American participation in our research studies. The council is made up of influential members of the Denver-Metro African American community, many of whom went through the Boot Camp Translation program, and who are from various professional backgrounds and community organizations. We feel very grateful to have the opportunity to work with the wonderful members of our council.
Key Goals and Aims of the 4AC
- Educate the African American community about Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias through personal experiences, to dispel stigma and raise awareness for caregivers.
- Increase community outreach through collaboration with community organizations.
- Actively represent the research mission and participation interests of the CU Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center to the community, as well as represent the needs of the community back to the researchers.
- Serve as liaison for the CU Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center in building strong individual and local partnerships to build trust among the community and the University to enhance research participation.
- Advise CU Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center investigators in the development of culturally appropriate and sensitive education, outreach, recruitment, retention strategies, products, and programs, including reviewing print and other materials of the Center to ensure the communication of culturally competent, consistent, appropriate, and effective messages.
Key goals and aims based off the tasks of the Washington University in St. Louis African American Advisory Board.