The 5-Cog tool, a brief cognitive evaluation, significantly enhances dementia care for older Black and Hispanic individuals in primary care settings, according to a new study. The research, led by Dr. Erica Pugh from the University of California, San Francisco, aimed to address the disparities in dementia diagnosis and treatment among underrepresented populations.
The randomized clinical trial enrolled 1,201 participants across diverse community health centers in the United States. Researchers discovered that patients assessed with the 5-Cog tool were more likely to receive dementia-related interventions, such as specialist referrals and imaging tests, compared to the control group.
Dementia, a global health concern, is often misdiagnosed or undertreated in minority populations due to factors like time-consuming methods and cultural insensitivity. The 5-Cog tool, designed to be culturally sensitive and non-education-biased, takes only five minutes to administer.
Dr. Pugh emphasized the importance of this study in addressing health inequalities, stating, “Our findings demonstrate that the 5-Cog tool can significantly improve dementia care for underserved communities, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.”
The researchers hope that the widespread adoption of the 5-Cog tool in primary care settings will help bridge the gap in dementia care and promote health equity for all older adults, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
See: “New 5-minute cognitive test boosts dementia care in diverse elderly populations” (June 6, 2024)
