A recent study has revealed that Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that causes memory loss and cognitive decline, is most common in the eastern and southeastern parts of the United States.
Researchers believe that this is due to the higher number of older adults and larger populations of Black and Hispanic individuals living in these regions.
The study looked at data from all 3,142 counties across the U.S., giving health officials a better understanding of where Alzheimer’s disease is most prevalent and helping them decide where to focus their resources.
What the Study Revealed
Kumar Rajan, a professor of internal medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago, explained that these findings provide a clearer picture of where Alzheimer’s is affecting the most people.
This information can be used to raise awareness in the areas most impacted and help public health programs allocate money, staff, and resources to better support those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The study relied on data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project and the U.S. government’s population estimates.
Alzheimer’s Hotspots in the U.S.
The study found that the areas with the highest rates of Alzheimer’s disease include several counties in the East and Southeast.
Miami-Dade County in Florida, Baltimore City in Maryland, and Bronx County in New York were all found to have the highest rates, with 16.6% of seniors living with Alzheimer’s. Other places with high rates include:
- Prince George’s County, Maryland (16.1%)
- Hinds County, Mississippi (15.5%)
- Orleans Parish, Louisiana (15.4%)
- Dougherty County, Georgia (15.3%)
- Orangeburg County, California (15.2%)
- Imperial County, California, and El Paso County, Texas (15%)
Who is Most at Risk?
Age is one of the main factors for Alzheimer’s, but the study also found that Black and Hispanic older adults are at higher risk.
Older Black Americans are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia as older white Americans, while older Hispanic adults are about 1.5 times as likely to get the disease compared to older white people.
Rajan noted that Alzheimer’s is a complex disease, influenced by many factors. It’s not just about aging but also involves interactions between a person’s background, including race, and other risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
The Growing Impact of Alzheimer’s
Currently, about 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The study predicts that the western and southwestern parts of the U.S. will see the largest increase in Alzheimer’s cases between 2020 and 2025.
Matthew Baumgart, vice president of health policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, highlighted that understanding how common Alzheimer’s is in different areas can help health officials manage the strain on the healthcare system.
It can also help identify regions where there is a high demand for health support, caregiver training, and culturally sensitive care for those with Alzheimer’s.
As more people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, there is a growing need for healthcare professionals who are trained to diagnose, treat, and care for these patients.
The findings of this study were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the protective power of dietary antioxidants against Alzheimer’s, and eating habits linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
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