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The public's perceptions about cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease among the U.S. population: a national review.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Anderson, LA; Day, KL; Beard, RL; Reed, PS; Wu, B
Published in: The Gerontologist
June 2009

The present review assesses the public's perceptions about cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease among adults in the United States. We searched the published literature and Internet, and contacted experts in the field to locate surveys assessing the public's perceptions about cognition. We found 10 eligible surveys and abstracted data concerning the public's knowledge, beliefs, concerns, and sources of information. Most of the surveys were conducted in the 2000s and focused on Alzheimer's disease rather then cognitive health. Based on the findings from the surveys, most adults were found to be aware of Alzheimer's disease but lacked specific information about the disease and its treatments. Most respondents did not perceive themselves as being very knowledgeable about Alzheimer's disease. Although we could classify the findings into several overarching domains, such as knowledge, we found considerable variability among surveys in the questions asked. Additional work is needed to understand the public's perceptions about cognitive health. Moreover, we also lack studies that help us understand perceptions about cognition across diverse demographic and cultural groups. Only by addressing these gaps can we develop targeted and effective strategies to enhance knowledge and beliefs about cognitive impairment and health.

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Published In

The Gerontologist

DOI

EISSN

1758-5341

ISSN

0016-9013

Publication Date

June 2009

Volume

49 Suppl 1

Start / End Page

S3 / 11

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Perception
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Gerontology
  • Data Collection
  • Cognition Disorders
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Anderson, L. A., Day, K. L., Beard, R. L., Reed, P. S., & Wu, B. (2009). The public's perceptions about cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease among the U.S. population: a national review. The Gerontologist, 49 Suppl 1, S3-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp088
Anderson, Lynda A., Kristine L. Day, Renée L. Beard, Peter S. Reed, and Bei Wu. “The public's perceptions about cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease among the U.S. population: a national review.The Gerontologist 49 Suppl 1 (June 2009): S3-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp088.
Anderson LA, Day KL, Beard RL, Reed PS, Wu B. The public's perceptions about cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease among the U.S. population: a national review. The Gerontologist. 2009 Jun;49 Suppl 1:S3-11.
Anderson, Lynda A., et al. “The public's perceptions about cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease among the U.S. population: a national review.The Gerontologist, vol. 49 Suppl 1, June 2009, pp. S3-11. Epmc, doi:10.1093/geront/gnp088.
Anderson LA, Day KL, Beard RL, Reed PS, Wu B. The public's perceptions about cognitive health and Alzheimer's disease among the U.S. population: a national review. The Gerontologist. 2009 Jun;49 Suppl 1:S3-11.
Journal cover image

Published In

The Gerontologist

DOI

EISSN

1758-5341

ISSN

0016-9013

Publication Date

June 2009

Volume

49 Suppl 1

Start / End Page

S3 / 11

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Perception
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Gerontology
  • Data Collection
  • Cognition Disorders
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences