Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The lack of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic diversity in research is an historic and ongoing crisis, especially for diseases like Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), whose prevalence, incidence, and risk are highest among the populations most likely to be excluded. Targeted and culturally appropriate population education and engagement strategies are key to increasing participation and reducing health disparities and costs. Art‐based knowledge translation (ABKT) uses art to disseminate information and resources related to research and its findings. The Alzheimer's Association applied ABKT in the form of a groundbreaking intervention called Unforgettable.
METHODS
Eligible communities were at least 35% Black/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino and had a strong local Alzheimer's Association chapter. Test market touring was used to refine the intervention's messaging. Highly tailored promotion and outreach was conducted by local chapters with national Alzheimer's Association support. A live concert, information tables, and an intermission talk provided additional promotion and messaging. Post‐intervention surveys queried the intervention's messaging effectiveness and attendees’ personal experiences around caregiving and research participation.
RESULTS
Three hundred thirty‐four surveys were completed. Most respondents were women (89%), Black/African American (78%), and had never participated in a clinical trial (85%). Satisfaction with the intervention and its messaging was high. Barriers to clinical trial participation centered on fears of potential risks and overall lack of knowledge.
DISCUSSION
The success of Unforgettable demonstrates the potential for future partnerships and arts‐based health education initiatives through ABKT. By continuing to integrate culturally relevant storytelling with public health outreach and education, the Alzheimer's Association and others can further the critical and urgent mission of ending ADRD disparities.
Highlights
Unforgettable is a groundbreaking intervention that leverages culturally resonant art and live performance to engage under‐represented communities in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research and clinical trials.
Art‐based knowledge translation was used in the development of Unforgettable, which refers to the practice of using art to disseminate, engage with, or communicate about research and its findings, reducing the knowledge‐to‐action gap.
High satisfaction rates and increased awareness of ADRD research were reported by participants of Unforgettable, which highlights the need for integrating culturally relevant story‐telling into interventions surrounding public health issues, such as ADRD.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, arts‐based knowledge translation, caregiving, diverse clinical trial participation, health disparities
1. INTRODUCTION
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) disproportionately affect non‐White populations compared to White populations. 1 , 2 Older Black Americans are approximately twice as likely to develop ADRD as older White individuals, while Hispanic Americans are approximately one and a half times as likely. 3 The causes of these disparities are multifaceted, encompassing socioeconomic, health inequity, and cultural factors. 4 Social determinants of health, such as economic instability and limited access to quality education and healthcare, lead to a higher prevalence of known risk factors for ADRD, including hypertension and diabetes. 5 Higher rates of underdiagnosis due to misdiagnosis and screening delays 6 , 7 also exist, making non‐White persons and those of lower socioeconomic status less likely to benefit from the newest pharmaceuticals, which target early‐stage disease.
Variations in treatment exposure and response across racial/ethnic groups impact clinical data and treatment quality, in turn leading to suboptimal care and increased burden for individuals and the health‐care system 8 , 9 . Equity in research participation is therefore critical, 10 but the vast majority (95%) of participants in ADRD clinical trials are White. 11 Distrust of the medical system due to historical discrimination in clinical care and research (e.g., the USPHS Untreated Syphilis Study, the case of Henrietta Lacks, and others), along with practical barriers, such as transportation, limited access to online and in‐person resources for identifying relevant trials, and systemic inequities in health‐care access, contribute to the problem. To solve this, researchers and other stakeholders must conduct purposeful engagement and recruitment that includes targeted and culturally appropriate population education and engagement strategies. 9 , 12
The arts represent a powerful approach for increasing community health literacy around dementia services and care, especially in underserved populations. 13 Art‐based knowledge translation (ABKT) refers to the practice of using art to disseminate, engage with, or communicate about research and its findings, reducing the knowledge‐to‐action gap. 14 A range of modalities are used (e.g., visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, video, and photography), but theater is the most common approach. 15 Its blend of verbal, auditory, and physical communication transmits information with an efficiency and emotional connection that a pamphlet or website cannot. 15 The arts can also create a strong connection to cultural identity, allowing minority audiences to see themselves modeled onstage, including the pros and cons of the coping skills and decisions made by the characters. 16 To embody this practice, the Alzheimer's Association co‐created a play titled Unforgettable to show a family's journey with dementia in an engaging way that resonates with the audience. The entertaining quality of a play and the experience of watching it in community with others can help instill trust in the messaging and make even a frightening topic, such as dementia, emotionally manageable. All these attributes likely explain the growing international interest in researching the use of ABKT to promote health and health literacy. 13
In addition to theater‐based approaches, culturally specific serialized dramas known as telenovelas have been used to shift knowledge, attitudes, and information seeking in Latino communities. “Recuerdos de Mi Abuelo” documents how multi‐episode story arcs, relatable characters, bilingual production, and community‐based participation can reduce stigma, anchor a brain health framing, and connect viewers to screening and research opportunities about Alzheimer's disease (AD). 17 Prior entertainment education initiatives have likewise leveraged telenovelas in areas such as diabetes self‐management and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, with evaluations showing consistent improvements in knowledge and intentions. 18 , 19 In ADRD research specifically, community‐engaged strategies have improved outreach and participation among Hispanics and Latinos, aligning with this narrative approach. 20
The Alzheimer's Association sought a more culturally appropriate and tailored method for reaching under‐resourced communities disproportionately affected by ADRD. We hypothesized that a culturally tailored theatrical intervention (Unforgettable) would increase ADRD awareness, reduce stigma, and enhance willingness to participate in clinical trials among Black/African American audiences, given these populations being disproportionately affected by ADRD. 21 We partnered with a production company dedicated to amplifying under‐represented voices to develop and produce the intervention. Unforgettable depicts a family's journey from recognizing dementia symptoms to obtaining appropriate care for their matriarch experiencing early‐stage AD. Unforgettable has reached > 10,000 new constituents. Strong post‐performance engagement led to new partnerships with community organizations to expand care and support efforts, increased interest for volunteer opportunities, and more persons seeking out clinical trial information and connecting with their local Alzheimer's Association chapter for support resources.
This paper presents the process by which the intervention was envisioned, developed, promoted, and presented. We also describe audience survey results on the intervention's effectiveness and preliminary impact and offer recommendations for future research on ABKT in populations disproportionately affected by ADRD and other diseases.
2. METHODS
The following describes the intervention, the intervention development process, test‐market touring, community selection, outreach and promotion strategies, and data collection.
2.1. Intervention overview
Unforgettable is a groundbreaking intervention presented to audiences at no cost by the Alzheimer's Association in partnership with Gdavis Productions and Films and with support from national tour sponsors. Culturally relevant storytelling and live theater are used to educate and engage under‐resourced communities on Alzheimer's disease (AD), early detection, and clinical trials. With a diverse cast, the production follows a Black male caregiver balancing his family responsibilities while caring for his mother, Mama D, who is exhibiting early warning signs of AD. The family grapples with the fear that Mama D may have dementia and confronts the emotional and logistical challenges of diagnosis acceptance, the stigma surrounding the disease, the complexities of caregiving, and whether to take part in clinical trials.
RESEARCH IN CONTEXT
Systematic Review: The authors conducted a review of existing literature using conventional databases such as EBSCO, and all relevant sources are properly cited.
Interpretation: The findings of this article highlight the importance of using art‐based knowledge translation in the development of culturally relevant interventions focused on education and engagement.
Future Directions: The article proposes a need to target additional underserved communities in a similar manner by creating additional language‐accessible materials and culturally specific engagement strategies in future implementations.
Held in 20 cities between 2022 and 2025, each performance was ≈ 2 hours long. During a 20 minute intermission, the Alzheimer's Association's chief diversity equity and inclusion officer, the Unforgettable playwright, alongside a health equity coalition member or local ADRD researcher discussed the importance of research and clinical trial participation. Finally, chapter leaders and members of the Health Equity Coalition gave closing remarks.
A live jazz concert was added to the intervention in 2023 after testing at two sites. The complimentary concert, which occurred the day before Unforgettable, had many benefits. First, it drew audiences, and especially younger segments of the target population. This is important because a significant number of adolescents and young adults in the United States undertake caregiving responsibilities for family members. 22 They can also be first to notice early disease onset and help seek medical care. Second, the concert highlighted the positive effect music can have on memory and emotion, especially for those living with ADRD. 23 , 24 At the Miami show, an ALZ Health Equity Coalition member explained the music and memory connection during a brief, pre‐concert presentation. Finally, it added an uplifting element, letting potential attendees know the event would be a meaningful and culturally resonant experience. As per the intervention, the concert served as a time of respite for caregivers and an opportunity to learn more about the disease, connect with resources, and find community support.
2.2. Intervention development process
The Alzheimer's Association connected with Gdavis Productions and Films, who are veterans in the arena of both ADRD and health advocacy through performing arts. For Unforgettable, the Alzheimer's Association collaborated with Gdavis Productions and Films to identify key themes to address, including recognizing early warning signs, early detection and diagnosis, the importance of under‐represented communities participating in clinical trials, and reducing stigma. Multiple drafts were reviewed by senior Alzheimer's Association leadership and its Diversity Equity, and Inclusion, Care and Support, and Mission and Community Engagement Teams. Changes were made to the storyline, and emphasis was added to the themes. For example, for early warning signs, the Alzheimer's Association suggested one family member become concerned about Mama D's difficulty making a family‐favorite recipe she formerly knew by heart, while other family members downplay it as normal aging. When Mama D later becomes lost on a walk near her home, everyone acknowledges something more serious is taking place. Such events are not only common but also highlight how the inability or unwillingness of a family to recognize early signs can inadvertently place a family member in danger.
On the theme of participating in clinical trials, the Alzheimer's Association requested Mama D and the family discuss the negatives and positives of participation. This included acknowledgement of the historical mistrust Black Americans have in the medical scientific community, as well as the importance of ensuring scientific findings and treatments are equally effective for their community. They requested that Mama D take the first step toward learning more about the trial suggested by her doctor and that her family ultimately support this decision.
Script development took 1 month, and pilot performances began after 5 months. The ALZ Health Equity Coalitions, a community‐driven partnership bringing together local and national organizations to improve AD diagnosis, care, and awareness, provided guidance on local program implementation, promotional materials, and community integration strategies.
2.3. Test market touring
Between July and September of 2022, the intervention was piloted in three cities (Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Bowie, Maryland), and additional script changes were made. For example, the Alzheimer's Association sought to strike a better balance between audience entertainment versus providing resources and accurate information. When Mama D is diagnosed, the Alzheimer's Association's user‐friendly website (alz.org) was incorporated into the intervention as a resource. Test‐market locations for 2023 included: Chicago, Illinois; Houston and Dallas, Texas; and Los Angeles, California. Test market feedback was shared on the spot or in weekly planning meetings with Davis and his team.
For budgeting purposes, a typical market level production and delivery of Unforgettable starts at $30,000 per market. Actual costs vary by location, including labor and travel; venue size and rental; production complexity, including cast and crew size and set and audiovisuals; union requirements; marketing scope; and the availability of partners or in‐kind support.
2.4. Community selection, outreach, and promotion strategies
Market analysis helped identify intervention locations. Intervention sites had to (1) be within populations that were 35% or more Black/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino, and (2) have a strong local Alzheimer's Association chapter with established community partnerships. Venue selection was done in close collaboration with the local chapter and their local coalition partners, as they are intimately familiar with the resources and needs of their communities.
Local chapters conducted the bulk of the promotion and outreach, with significant national Alzheimer's Association support. The Alzheimer's Association's chapter engagement strategy began with outreach to key members, including staff and Health Equity Coalition members attending an informational kick‐off meeting and monthly planning meetings leading up to the event.
The Alzheimer's Association provided a full suite of toolkits and other planning templates and tools. These offered multiple examples of the verbiage, images (related to the intervention), and hashtags (#ENDALZ, #Unforgettableplay) to be used for pre‐event, event day, and post‐event social media (Twitter/X; Facebook; LinkedIn, Instagram) and traditional media outlets.
During a 20 minute intermission, the Alzheimer's Association's chief diversity, equity and inclusion office, the playwright, or a Health Equity Coalition member, along with a local ADRD researcher, gave a high‐level overview of what clinical trials are, why participation is important generally and to under‐represented populations in particular, and the ways attendees could potentially participate in a clinical trial. Other topics included disparities in AD rates, diagnosis, and treatment, and descriptions of the work of the Alzheimer's Association and the ALZ Health Equity Coalition and how to get involved.
The Alzheimer's Association held a post‐intervention debriefing with the host chapter to discuss what went well and what could be improved upon. Chapters also hosted post‐intervention events, such as education programs and community forums/listening sessions, to better understand the needs and challenges of the community.
2.5. Data collection
Attendees completed post‐intervention surveys to capture satisfaction with the play as well as their understanding and interest in learning more about brain health and clinical trials. Data collected included basic demographics (age, sex, race), whether they were currently or formerly a caregiver to someone with dementia, and whether they had ever participated in a clinical trial. Respondents also indicated their satisfaction with the intervention. Open‐ended questions queried their interest in getting more information about brain health and ADRD, perceived barriers and facilitators to participating in clinical trials, and perceived barriers and facilitators to seeking care for dementia. Finally, an open comment section encouraged attendees to reflect on the experience.
3. RESULTS
3.1. Demographics
A total of 334 individuals from performances in 10 cities completed surveys (see Table 1). The mean age was 61.3 (range 15–86). Most were women (89%) and Black/African American (78%). Just over half (52%) had previous or current caregiving experience. The majority (70%) had not participated in a clinical trial, while 13% had done so.
TABLE 1.
Participant demographics, N = 334.
| Demographics | Mean | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 61.3 | 15–86 |
| n | % | |
| Sex | ||
| Female | 298 | 89.2 |
| Male | 32 | 9.6 |
| Missing/prefer not to answer | 3 | 0.9 |
| Race | ||
| Black/African American | 259 | 77.5 |
| White | 43 | 12.9 |
| Two or more races | 8 | 2.4 |
| Hispanic/Latino | 6 | 1.8 |
| Asian | 7 | 1.8 |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 2 | 0.6 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.3 |
| Other | 2 | 0.6 |
| Missing/prefer not to answer | 5 | 1.5 |
| Previously or currently a caregiver | ||
| Yes | 175 | 52.3 |
| No | 152 | 45.5 |
| Missing | 7 | 2.1 |
| Previously participated in a clinical trial | ||
| Yes | 42 | 12.6 |
| No | 235 | 70.4 |
| Missing/do not know | 57 | 17.1 |
3.2. Satisfaction
Satisfaction levels were overwhelmingly positive (see Table 2). Eighty‐nine percent (89%) agreed or strongly agreed that “the play was engaging,” and 88% stated they were “very likely” to recommend the intervention to others. On the effectiveness of the messaging, 84% to 87% agreed or strongly agreed that the intervention “provided insight into the importance of culturally tailored education and representation,” and that it gave them important information on “the importance of diverse participation in clinical trials,” “recognizing signs of dementia,” and “finding support.”
TABLE 2.
Percent participant satisfaction with the play and its messaging (N = 334).
| Strongly agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The play gave them important information on: | |||||
| Diverse participation in clinical trials | 56.7 | 26.9 | 7.6 | 0.6 | 8.0 |
| Recognizing the signs of dementia | 55.1 | 32.6 | 4.7 | 0.4 | 8.9 |
| Finding support for dementia | 52.5 | 32.6 | 8.5 | 0.8 | 7.2 |
| Culturally tailored education and representation | 64.5 | 25.0 | 5.1 | 0.8 | 7.2 |
| Concepts easy to understand | 67.2 | 21.0 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 8.4 |
| The play was: | |||||
| A good length | 60.0 | 25.0 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 5.8 |
| Engaging | 69.6 | 17.9 | 4.2 | 0.4 | 6.3 |
| Extremely important | Very important | Important | Somewhat important | Not at all important | |
| Important | 61.4 | 23.7 | 14.4 | 1.7 | 0.4 |
3.3. Interest in learning more about specific topics
To help the Alzheimer's Association better target information to under‐resourced populations, a series of questions addressed attendees’ most pressing types of information seeking (see Table 3). A list of responses was offered, and participants could select more than one option. The first asked, “What types of information about protective factors for brain health would you like to know more about?” The most commonly selected options were eating healthy, being physically active, and getting quality sleep. The next question asked: “What type of information about Alzheimer's disease and dementia would you like to know more about?” The most commonly selected responses were understanding the differences between different forms of dementia, the stages of AD, and current research and treatments.
TABLE 3.
Respondent's interest in brain health and dementia information (N = 328).
| What information about brain health protective factors do you want to know more about? | What information about Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia do you want to know more about? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| n | n | ||
| Eating healthy | 162 | Difference between AD and other dementias | 139 |
| Being physically active | 147 | Stages of AD | 124 |
| Getting quality sleep | 145 | Current research and treatments | 116 |
| Maintaining healthy weight | 134 | Risk factors of dementia | 112 |
| Controlling blood pressure | 108 | Resources for caregivers | 106 |
| Controlling diabetes | 90 | Resources for persons living with dementia | 104 |
| Keeping mind challenged | 65 | Dementia‐related behaviors and communication | 103 |
| Preventing heady injury | 39 | How to provide quality caregiving | 96 |
| Not smoking | 27 | Financial and legal planning | 73 |
| None | 32 | Health disparity and health equity | 71 |
| Other | 16 | None | 25 |
| Other | 6 | ||
Note. Respondents could select more than one option from the list.
3.4. Barriers and facilitators to clinical trial participation and care seeking
A similar set of questions queried barriers and facilitators to clinical trial participation and care seeking (see Tables 4 and 5, respectively). Respondents were asked: “What potential barriers would hinder your participation in clinical trials?” The most frequently cited reasons were the type of testing involved, fear of potential risk, and overall lack of knowledge. Top facilitators of clinical trial participation were flexibility and accommodation with research visits, clear communications, and providing compensation. The top barriers to seeking care were affordability, accessing/finding services, and navigating the health‐care system. However, 90% listed “none.” The top facilitators to seeking care included communications and follow‐ups from service providers, insurance plans offering more coverage, and having a support system.
TABLE 4.
Barriers and facilitators to clinical trial participation (N = 334).
| What potential barriers would hinder your participation in clinical trials? | What would potentially help and encourage your participation in clinical trials | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| n | n | ||
| Type of testing | 116 | Flexibility and accommodation with research visits | 146 |
| Lack of knowledge | 82 | Clear communication | 146 |
| Fear of potential risk | 81 | Compensation provided | 126 |
| None | 75 | A diverse study team | 125 |
| Number and length of follow‐up visits | 73 | Establishing a good relationship with the study team | 122 |
| Traveling distance | 67 | Study team provides updates | 107 |
| Distrust of researchers | 25 | Study addresses cultural competence and sensitivity | 101 |
| Study burden | 15 | Community members and organizations are engaged with the study | 76 |
|
Other |
22 |
Effective marketing for the study | 64 |
| None | 38 | ||
| Other | 8 | ||
Note. Respondents could select more than one option from the list.
TABLE 5.
Barriers and facilitators to seeking care (N = 328).
| What potential barriers would hinder you from seeking care? | What would help and encourage you to seek care? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| n | n | ||
| Affordability | 110 | Communication and follow‐ups | 163 |
| Difficulty accessing/finding services | 97 | Better insurance coverage | 157 |
| None | 92 | Having a support system | 146 |
| Navigating the health‐care system | 81 | Provider culture open/inviting | 132 |
| Service availability | 81 | None | 46 |
| Lack of time | 58 |
Other |
4 |
| Negative past experiences | 23 | ||
| Negative attitudes about help seeking | 23 | ||
| Social and cultural factors | 23 | ||
| Concerns about stigma | 20 | ||
| Beliefs that one should handle one's own problems | 18 | ||
| Other | 6 | ||
Note. Respondents could select more than one option from the list.
3.5. Open‐ended comments
Comments were overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Several mentioned gratitude for the information provided, for example:
“Thank you for sharing the importance of being aware of signs and conditions of Alzheimer's and letting people know that there is 24‐h help available…”
“The two conversations at intermission and the end … helped me understand my emotional needs.”
Others referenced the importance of tailoring the message to communities of color:
“We need more of this type of information in more communities.”
“This play is critical to create awareness, establish trust, and engage communities of color.”
“A powerful play. It was such an outstanding teaching production that advocated the importance of Alzheimer's knowledge & people of color being a part of research.”
Many praised the production itself, including its emotional impact:
“I was very impressed with the set, cast members, play, and songs. The writing and performing … made a very difficult and sensitive subject matter easier to digest.”
“I laughed and cried. Great actors and everything was great as well as the concert. ALZ and supporters did a great contribution to the community with these presentations.”
4. DISCUSSION
Because the arts tap into the complexity of our shared humanity, there is great potential to increase the accessibility of medical knowledge and resources within and across diverse groups, languages, and cultures. 25 ABKT approaches must be careful, however, that all intervention components (story, setting, language, venue, evaluation) fit the intended audience and are not condescending or belittling in any way, as that would only reinforce negative expectations already held by marginalized communities about research and researchers. Including many members of the targeted population in development and implementation is therefore essential. 26
When designing an ABKT intervention, one should carefully consider the level of information one wishes to impart (precise vs. ambiguous), the need for the recipients to be active versus passive, and the time available to impart the information. Visual art, such as a painting or dance, will generally offer less precise information, but its ambiguity may open up space for dialogue. A completed play or literary work, such as the intervention Unforgettable, can disseminate more precise knowledge to a relatively passive audience in a short amount of time. Bringing community members together to create a piece of art is highly active and can encompass more ambiguous dialogue, but also takes more time. Archibald et al. 14 offer a grid with the precision–ambiguity continuum on the vertical axis and the passive–active continuum on the horizontal axis and encourage researchers to consider the pros and cons of where their ABKT should fit within the graph to meet their goals.
Survey results and open‐ended responses supported our hypothesis, demonstrating that the intervention primarily increased awareness of ADRD, reduced stigma, and fostered greater openness to clinical trial participation among Black/African American audiences. Survey demographics show we reached a large segment of one of our targeted audiences, as 84% were non‐White. Most caregivers are female, and so the high rate of female attendees (89%) is not surprising; however, future efforts will explore strategies for increasing male attendance. A little more than half of the attendees had caregiving experience, an outcome we found ideal as we seek to educate not just those currently facing the issue, but also those who may be personally impacted in the future.
A particularly important and successful component of the intervention was the usefulness of the Alzheimer's Association's 75 US local chapter community engagement structure. Chapter leaders and staff are familiar with the most pressing needs of the communities they serve and have strong connections to other community‐based resources and organizations, all of which facilitated venue finding, promotion, sourcing research speakers, and finding staff to answer questions. Those interested in pursuing ABKT to promote community education, awareness, and action around ADRD or other medical conditions without such resources already in place might consider developing and incorporating a coalition model into their approach that is similar to the Alzheimer's Association's ALZ Health Equity Coalition. Such a coalition (or council) could be composed of 8 to 12 members representing local community leaders, influencers, and community‐based organizations and businesses supporting and advocating for causes closely adjacent to the goals of the planned ABKT. Keeping the coalition connected and engaged beyond the one‐time event will help to build additional connections and trust within the local community and facilitate more consistent and ongoing education and resources for future community support and mobilization efforts.
Data collection presents distinct challenges within the ABKT framework. A related limitation is the use of a convenience sample, as participants were recruited from attendees at live performances of the intervention. While convenience sampling is often used in community‐engaged research due to its practicality, it limits the generalizability of findings, as participants are not randomly selected and may not reflect the broader population. 27 In this case, individuals who chose to attend the performance and complete the survey may have had a particular interest in health topics or community issues, potentially introducing selection bias. In addition, no follow‐up surveys were conducted to assess potential participation in clinical trials and research after attending the play, which would have been beneficial to measure the full impact of this play. Nevertheless, the approach was intentionally aligned with the goals of the intervention, which prioritized cultural relevance, accessibility, and trust building within historically under‐resourced populations. Conducting outreach in familiar, community‐based settings allowed the project to engage older Black/African American adults—an audience often under‐represented in AD research—in a culturally resonant and emotionally supportive way. This strategy aligns with best practices in equitable health research that emphasize culturally responsive, community‐centered methods of engagement. 28 , 29 While the results may not be widely generalizable, they offer valuable insights into the attitudes and needs of under‐resourced populations and help inform more inclusive approaches to dementia education and clinical trial recruitment.
Another limitation of the data collection process was the under‐representation of Hispanic/Latino populations. Most respondents who completed surveys identified as Black/African American. As a result, the findings primarily reflect the experiences and perspectives of this group, and the impact of the intervention on Hispanic/Latino audiences remains less understood. This gap highlights the need for targeted outreach, additional language‐accessible materials, and culturally specific engagement strategies in future implementations. Addressing these gaps is essential for ensuring the intervention's effectiveness across diverse populations and for informing more inclusive approaches to dementia awareness, stigma reduction, and clinical trial participation.
By continuing to integrate culturally relevant storytelling with public health outreach and education, the Alzheimer's Association and others can further the critical and urgent mission of ending health disparities.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Author disclosures are available in the supporting information.
Supporting information
Supporting Information
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by Eli Lilly, Edward Jones, and Molina Healthcare.
Berry BM, Davis G, Reyes Y, et al. Unforgettable: The power of community in the pursuit of health equity for Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. Alzheimer's Dement. 2026;12:e70195. 10.1002/trc2.70195
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