Journal of Psychiatry

Aging and psychiatric issues in African Americans

5^th International Conference on Psychiatrist, Geriatric Psychiatry and Counseling Psychology

December 08-09, 2016 San Antonio, USA

William B Lawson

University of Texas, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Multiple studies have shown that African Americans show disparities in health care outcomes throughout the life cycle. While the elderly have not been studied as extensively, nevertheless disparities have been found in both physical and mental health. While life expectancy remains lower it has increased, allowing African Americans to show an increase in such disorders as Alzheimer�??s, with its illness burden on families that have fewer resources. Problems such as drug abuse are more often seen in the elderly and chronic medical disorders such as AIDS have emerged as problems for elderly females. Moreover the willingness of African American families to support their elderly rather than to use public or private facilities raised significant issues for family members especially when they are caretakers for the severely mentally ill. However suicide rates tend to be lower for reasons that are not clear but are well worth investigating. The negative consequences and positive outcomes of aging should be investigated.

Biography :

Email: william.lawson@austin.utexas.edu