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Meta-Analysis of Dementia Rates in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean

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Caring for Latinxs with Dementia in a Globalized World

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Abstract

There has been a rapid increase in epidemiological surveys on the prevalence of dementia in the countries of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. However, no past review of these studies has provided an overall quantitative estimate of the prevalence of dementia or its major subtypes (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia) in the populations of these regions. Further, the majority of past reviews have described the frequency of this disorder without regard to sources of variance between studies. This chapter provides estimates of the prevalence of dementia and two of its major subtypes based on meta-analysis. Investigation of the sources of heterogeneity in prevalence between studies is reported. These estimates are then discussed in terms of how they compare to the prevalence of dementia and its subtypes in the available studies of Latinos in the United States of America (USA). Knowledge of the occurrence of dementia and its subtypes is necessary to inform public health policies to prepare for the rapid changes that are expected in the population age structures of these countries.

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  1. Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, USA

    Carlos A. Rodriguez

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  1. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL, USA

    Hector Y. Adames

  2. Independent Practice, San Jose, CA, USA

    Yvette N. Tazeau

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Rodriguez, C.A. (2020). Meta-Analysis of Dementia Rates in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In: Adames, H., Tazeau, Y. (eds) Caring for Latinxs with Dementia in a Globalized World. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0132-7_3

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