Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) Advancements: Toward Mitigation of Disparities in ADRD - Millions of Americans are living with dementia and, as the U.S. population ages and lives longer, the number and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementia (ADRD) is expected to increase, with some groups at greater risk to develop the diseases. There is a paucity of data on the impact of life course, biological and structural factors on high-risk populations, undermining the country’s ability to mitigate dementia disparities. The proposed conferences will bring together established and early career researchers to examine existing disparities through a biospsychosocial lens. To catalyze vital conversations on the topic of disparities in ADRDs, the Alzheimer’s Association hosted the first 2 conferences in 2021 and 2022. Building on the success of those 2 conferences, the Alzheimer’s Association is proposing three conferences and two workshops spread over a five-year period under the name, AAIC Advancements: Toward Mitigation of Disparities in ADRD . The conferences will typically be two days and the workshops will take place in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association International conferences held in the United States. At the core of the conference will still be the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework (HDRF). To meet our objectives, the five aims are: 1) Develop and finalize the scientific program and all logistical details for the conference by working with a multidisciplinary group of experts led by PI Dr. Maria Carrillo. 2) Implement three conferences and workshops over a five-year period entitled “AAIC Advancements: Toward Mitigation of Disparities in ADRD”, which will consist of lectures, plenary presentations, panels, poster sessions, networking opportunities and feedback on the conference. 3) Facilitate the sustainability of the conferences by hosting workshops on the off years in conjunction with AAIC. 4) Incorporate the perspectives of early career researchers by ensuring that they are included on the planning committees to assist us in identifying barriers to participation and retention of these scholars in the ADRD field. 5) Disseminate the proceedings of the conference in peer reviewed journals which will help keep a record of the advancements being made in the field but also inform future efforts to help the field move closer to greater understanding and effective mitigation of health disparities . Results from this conference will include 1) dissemination of proceedings from the conference in peer-reviewed journals 2) increased collaboration between early career and more established investigators 3) skills training in the methods required to do health disparities research in ADRD 4) awareness of barriers faced by early career research to funding agencies and decision makers.
