PRESS RELEASE: National Council of Urban Indian Health Announces New Partnership with Alzheimer’s Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (December 5, 2024) – The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) and the Alzheimer’s Association recently announced a new partnership aimed at promoting brain health and increasing support for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people living in urban settings affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. NCUIH and the Alzheimer’s Association will work together to engage urban AI/AN communities to raise concern and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia and to provide care, support, and information about advance care planning for the people impacted by dementia.

“Our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association aims to provide vital support to American Indian and Alaska Native communities facing the challenges of dementia,” said NCUIH CEO Francys Crevier, JD (Algonquin). “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to culturally tailored resources and services that honor Indigenous peoples’ unique traditions, experiences, and resilience. Together, we are working to ensure that no elder or family feels alone in navigating this journey.”

AI/AN individuals are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia than white Americans, yet they often have less access to health services and timely diagnosis. Twenty-seven percent of AI/AN individuals live in poverty, proportionately more than any other group and double the rate of 14 percent of Americans generally.

“We are delighted to collaborate with the National Council of Urban Indian Health to extend our outreach to American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban settings,” said Dr. Carl V. Hill, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at the Alzheimer’s Association. “This partnership will enable us to provide essential disease-related information, care, and support resources while encouraging increased participation in Alzheimer’s and dementia research.”

Along with the partnership, the Alzheimer’s Association will offer educational programs and webinars to urban AI/AN communities. It will work to connect affected individuals and families in these communities to care and support resources, including the Association’s free 24/7 Helpline, referrals to local resources, and care consultation. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association will sponsor and participate in NCUIH’s 2025 annual conference in Washington, D.C., on April 22-24, 2025.

About NCUIH

The National Council of Urban Indian Health is a national representative advocating for the 41 Urban Indian Organizations contracting with the Indian Health Service under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. NCUIH is devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health and public health services for American Indian and Alaska Native people living in urban areas.

NCUIH respects and supports Tribal sovereignty and the unique government-to-government relationship between our Tribal Nations and the United States. NCUIH works to support those federal laws, policies, and procedures that respect and uplift Tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship. NCUIH does not support any federal law, policy, or procedure that infringes upon or in any way diminishes Tribal sovereignty or the government-to-government relationship.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

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NCUIH Contact: Meredith Raimondi, Vice President of Policy and Communications, mraimondi@ncuih.org

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