The impact of SARS-CoV-2 in dementia across Latin America: A call for an urgent regional plan and coordinated response

Nov 23, 2020

AREA

Neuroimage

SITE

Alzheimers Dement (N Y)

TYPE

Articles

YEAR

Formal publication: Nov 2020

Authors: Agustin Ibanez 1 2 3 4 5, Hernando Santamaria-Garcia 6, Alejandra Guerrero Barragan 1 7, Alexander Kornhuber 1, Alyne Mendonca Marques Ton 8, Andrea Slachevsky 9 10 11 12, Antonio Lucio Teixeira 13 14, Beatriz Marcela Mar Meza 1, Cecilia M Serrano 15, Carlos Cano 6, Carolina Arias Gonzalez 16, Christian Gonzalez-Billault 10, Christopher Butler 17 18 19, Julian Bustin 20, Claudia Duran-Aniotz 4 10 21, Daisy Acosta 22, Diana L Matallana 6, Diego Acosta-Alvear 16, Dominic Trépel 23, Elisa De Paula França Resende 1 13 24, Fabricio Ferreira de Oliveira 25, Francisco Ibanez 26, Fernanda G De Felice 24 27, Gorka Navarrete 4, Ioannis Tarnanas 28 29, Irene B Meier 28 29, Jerusa Smid 30, Jorge Llibre-Guerra 1 31, Juan J Llibre-Rodriguez 32, Laís Fajersztajn 1 33, Leonel Tadao Takada 34, Lissette Duque 35, Maira Okada de Oliveira 1 34 36, Maria Aparecida Camargos Bicalho 37, María Isabel Behrens 11 38 39, Maritza Pintado-Caipa 1 40, Mario Parra 41, Maxwell Z Wilson 16, Myriam De La Cruz Puebla 1 42, Nilton Custodio 40, Rodrigo Santibanez 19 43, Rodrigo Bernardo Serafim 44, Ronnielly Melo Tavares 24 44, Stefanie Danielle Piña Escudero 1, Tomas Leon Rodriguez 9, Walter Dawson 1 45 46, Bruce L Miller 1, Kenneth S Kosik 16
 
 

Abstract: The SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic will disproportionately impact countries with weak economies and vulnerable populations including people with dementia. Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACs) are burdened with unstable economic development, fragile health systems, massive economic disparities, and a high prevalence of dementia. Here, we underscore the selective impact of SARS-CoV-2 on dementia among LACs, the specific strain on health systems devoted to dementia, and the subsequent effect of increasing inequalities among those with dementia in the region. Implementation of best practices for mitigation and containment faces particularly steep challenges in LACs. Based upon our consideration of these issues, we urgently call for a coordinated action plan, including the development of inexpensive mass testing and multilevel regional coordination for dementia care and related actions. Brain health diplomacy should lead to a shared and escalated response across the region, coordinating leadership, and triangulation between governments and international multilateral networks.
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