By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY

José Maria Burruel was born in his grandmother's home, a tent that sat between a ditch and a drainage canal on the outskirts of Phoenix. He says the family was fortunate to find a black physician to help with the birth. At that time, he says, local white doctors wouldn't deliver Latino babies.

Now, at 84, the retired educator says he is helping improve medical care for other Latinos by participating in an Alzheimer's study at nearby Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. He's encouraging friends to do the same.

READ MORE: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-12-07-LatinoALZ07_ST_N.htm

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