In an interview on Telemundo Wisconsin, Maria Mora Pinzon, MD, MS, a physician and the implementation science leader at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, shed light on the alarming disparities in dementia diagnosis and care affecting Latino communities. She described research which has found that although Latinos are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, they are the least likely to be informed of their diagnosis.
Dr. Mora Pinzon explained that Latino individuals often begin showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease up to seven years earlier than non-Hispanic white individuals. Despite this earlier onset, they are less likely to receive a formal diagnosis or treatment, which can delay access to critical care and support services, she said. One barrier is the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate diagnostic tools – many cognitive tests used to detect dementia have not been validated for Latino populations and are not offered in Spanish.
Another key issue Dr. Mora Pinzon described is a frequent reliance on unpaid family caregivers within Latino households. While caregiving is often seen as a familial duty, it can place significant emotional and financial strain on families, especially when professional support is lacking.
Dr. Mora Pinzon’s research program aims to build Alzheimer’s resources more accessible and culturally relevant, and for training healthcare providers to better serve diverse populations.
In the News
“Study shows Latinos are the least likely to be told they have dementia” – Telemundo Wisconsin, Nov. 3, 2025