Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research Coverage in News Media Outlets Consumed by Population Groups that Are Underrepresented on Alzheimer’s and Dementia-Focused Research Registries

Abstract

A lack of diversity in Alzheimer’s (AD) and dementia research is an important barrier to identifying strategies for prevention and treatment. Research suggests media coverage of AD/dementia research will familiarize people with the issue and motivate them to place more importance in the issue in general. This study explores how news media may inform groups that are under-represented in AD/dementia through coverage of the issue. A national survey identified the media outlets that were most often consumed and used for health information within target populations. Transcripts from these media outlets were content analyzed to examine AD/dementia coverage. The timeframe included the months before and after the US FDA’s approval of the drug Aduhelm and the controversy surrounding it. Results highlight differences in under-represented groups’ media consumption patterns and coverage of AD/dementia and indicates a failure to inform about an event that may have widespread effect on Medicare and AD/dementia research.