Shana D Stites1, Jonathan D Rubright2, Jason Karlawish3. 1. Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: stites@upenn.edu. 2. National Board of Medical Examiners, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 3. Penn Memory Center, Department of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Understanding the prevalence of beliefs, attitudes, and expectations about Alzheimer's disease dementia in the public could inform strategies to mitigate stigma. METHODS: Random sample of 317 adults from the U.S. public was analyzed to understand reactions toward a man with mild-stage Alzheimer's disease dementia. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, over half of respondents expected the person to be discriminated against by employers (55.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 47.0-65.2) and be excluded from medical decision-making (55.3%; 95% CI = 46.9-65.4). Almost half expected his health insurance would be limited based on data in the medical record (46.6%; 95% CI = 38.0-57.2), a brain imaging result (45.6%, 95% CI = 37.0-56.3), or genetic test result (44.7%; 95% CI = 36.0-55.4). DISCUSSION: Public education and policies are needed to address concerns about employment and insurance discrimination. Studies are needed to discover how advances in diagnosis and treatment may change Alzheimer's disease stigma.
INTRODUCTION: Understanding the prevalence of beliefs, attitudes, and expectations about Alzheimer's disease dementia in the public could inform strategies to mitigate stigma. METHODS: Random sample of 317 adults from the U.S. public was analyzed to understand reactions toward a man with mild-stage Alzheimer's disease dementia. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, over half of respondents expected the person to be discriminated against by employers (55.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 47.0-65.2) and be excluded from medical decision-making (55.3%; 95% CI = 46.9-65.4). Almost half expected his health insurance would be limited based on data in the medical record (46.6%; 95% CI = 38.0-57.2), a brain imaging result (45.6%, 95% CI = 37.0-56.3), or genetic test result (44.7%; 95% CI = 36.0-55.4). DISCUSSION: Public education and policies are needed to address concerns about employment and insurance discrimination. Studies are needed to discover how advances in diagnosis and treatment may change Alzheimer's disease stigma.
Authors: Sheung-Tak Cheng; Linda C W Lam; Liliane C K Chan; Alexander C B Law; Ada W T Fung; Wai-chi Chan; Cindy W C Tam; Wai-man Chan Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2011-05-17 Impact factor: 3.878
Authors: A Solomon; F Mangialasche; E Richard; S Andrieu; D A Bennett; M Breteler; L Fratiglioni; B Hooshmand; A S Khachaturian; L S Schneider; I Skoog; M Kivipelto Journal: J Intern Med Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 8.989
Authors: Pei-Jung Lin; Yingying Zhu; Natalia Olchanski; Joshua T Cohen; Peter J Neumann; Jessica D Faul; Howard M Fillit; Karen M Freund Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2022-06-01
Authors: Emily A Largent; Kristin Harkins; Christopher H van Dyck; Sara Hachey; Pamela Sankar; Jason Karlawish Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-02-13 Impact factor: 3.240