Black Churches Turn to Faith and Science to Fight Dementia

A few hundred people, most of them older Black women, gathered in a quiet warehouse‑turned‑church near Atlanta’s airport to hear the start of a three‑day summit. The space was dim, but the excitement and stage lights made it feel alive.

Opening Prayer

The meeting began with a prayer from Rev. Paul Thibodeaux, who asked God for new insight and knowledge about dementia.

A Unique Blend of Faith and Science

The summit was unusual because it blended religious devotion with medical research. One wall displayed posters about community caregiving and how a healthy body supports brain health.

Keynote: Keeping Minds Sharp

Shortly after the prayer, Vonetta Dotson from Brigham and Women’s Hospital spoke about ways to keep minds sharp. She noted that studying the Bible can challenge the brain and listeners nodded in agreement.

Stark Statistics

Data show that one out of every five Black seniors has Alzheimer’s, a rate double the national average for white seniors. Yet many Black patients receive their diagnosis much later than others, which limits treatment options and burdens caregivers even more.

Underlying Causes

Experts say that stigma, lack of awareness, and a deep‑rooted mistrust of medical institutions all play roles in these disparities.