The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many other people in the Black community are atrocities that both warrant and demand the current national and global response.
Sadly, these recent events also serve as a reminder of historical atrocities done to Black people and other diverse communities in the name of science. Researchers, like political leaders, must use this time to further open our minds, our ears, and our hearts to combat racism. Racial and ethnic health disparities permeate our society and Alzheimer’s is no exception. Risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is higher in Black and LatinX people, and access to expert diagnoses and treatments are lower. Though much research focuses on understanding and addressing these disparities, we must do more and move faster.
UCI MIND is a research organization and a major component of our activity includes partnership with diverse communities to enhance inclusivity in our science. Our hearts and spirit are with our Black colleagues, participants, and community partners who have faced racism their entire lives and are currently living through tremendous heartache and stress.
As the Director of UCI MIND, I am committed to taking action and making a difference. I am committed to learning and creating space for ideas to be shared. We can and we will do more. I’d like to start by doing a better job of listening. On Friday, June 12 at 9:00 AM, please join me on Zoom to share your thoughts and perspectives. I would like to hear your ideas on how UCI MIND can do more or do better during this time, which we hope will be a historical turning point.
To RSVP for the Zoom meeting, please email cgcox@uci.edu.
Sincerely,
Joshua Grill, PhD
Director, UCI MIND
