Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute

Addressing Systemic Racism Webinars

A message from Gina Green-Harris, Director WAI Regional Milwaukee Office:

We must move from promises to action! Racism and social injustice are not new. If equity and social justice were even remotely urgent, we would not be fighting for the basic inalienable rights our ancestors fought for over 400 year ago. Sadly, our ancestors knew they would die in bondage, but their hope was the next generation would experience the benefits of basic human rights and freedom guaranteed to all human beings by the Constitution of the United States. That is still the hope and vision for Black people today.

Through these webinars, our intent is to provide truthful narratives by credible leaders about the journey of Black and Brown people in this country, and our resilience as a people. They further provide clear, realistic information, including action steps for people who continue to ask the proverbial questions, “How can I learn more and what can I do in my own sphere or circle?”

The Addressing Systemic Racism education series launched on June 19, 2020. The webinars feature local and regional speakers discussing the roots of racism in modern culture, how it has created health disparities leading to poor health outcomes for African Americans, and action steps for creating solutions.

Part 1: Addressing Systemic Racism From its Impacts to its Origins Throughout Life

Part 2:  ​Reframing and Reforming our Health and Health Care systems

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Part 3: How the Media Impacts the Narrative of Black Americans

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Part 4:

Unfortunately, a video of this session is not available. Slides from the talk can be found on the Lifecourse for Healthy Initiatives webpage.

Part 5: The Legacy of African Americans in Science and Research

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Part 6: The Toll of Infant Mortality & Prematurity on African American Families

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Part 7: The Impact on African Americans with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia

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Part 8: One Year Later, Where Are We Now?

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Roots of racism and Alzheimer’s disease:

  • African Americans are more than twice as likely as white Americans to have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, but the fifth leading cause of death of older African Americans
  • African Americans are generally diagnosed at later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

– Brain Health Center for African Americans

Related links:

Thank You

This educational series was offered thanks to a partnership between Center for Community Engagement & Health Partnerships, All of Us Research Program, Wisconsin Partnership Program, Lifecourse Initiatives for Healthy Families, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute and Greater Milwaukee Foundation.