Minority issues in Alzheimer disease outcomes research

Taking account of cultural and linguistic variations among ethnic minority groups (the most rapidly growing segment of the US elderly population) will have both conceptual and methodological impacts on Alzheimer disease outcomes research. At the conceptual level, researchers will need to evaluate whether the definition of Alzheimer disease, treatment approaches, and outcomes (anticipated and desired) central to their research are relevant or appropriate for the ethnic minorities in their target populations. The central methodological impact of cultural and linguistic diversity will be the need to use qualitative techniques as integral parts of the research process and to cross-culturally adapt English assessment instruments for use with ethnic minorities. More labor-intensive efforts will be required at all stages of the research process and, thus, higher costs will be incurred.