217 Today: Recent Alzheimer’s advancements leave Black and Latino patients behind

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Physical therapist Danielle Heltzel works with Althea Jordan, who has late stage Alzheimer's Disease. Jordan was diagnosed with the disease in its early stages more than a decade ago. She continues to live with her son and daughter-in-law in suburban Des Moines.
  • Photo: Natalie Krebs / Side Effects Public Media

Friday, January 3, 2025

Today’s headlines:

  • Snow — and possibly several inches of it — is in the forecast for central Illinois this weekend. 
  • OSF Healthcare says they recommend — but do not require — that visitors wear masks when seeing their hospital and hospice patients.
  • Central Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen says he’s concerned the incoming Trump administration plans for mass deportations will hurt employers in his district — and tear apart families.
  • Health insurance companies operating in Illinois can no longer use so-called “step therapy”.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn how Latino and Black people are significantly more likely to get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at stages when treatments are less effective.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Andrew Pritchard, Eric Stock, Alex Degman and Natalie Krebs.

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Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.