A recent study has identified where Alzheimer’s disease is most common in the United States, and it turns out that the East and Southeast regions have the highest number of people living with this memory loss condition.
The researchers believe this might be due to the larger populations of older adults and a higher number of Black and Hispanic residents in these areas, as these groups are at greater risk for Alzheimer’s.
What the Study Revealed
The study, which analyzed all 3,142 counties in the U.S., provides new insights into the geographical spread of Alzheimer’s disease.
Kumar Rajan, a professor of internal medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago, explains that these findings offer a clearer picture of where Alzheimer’s is most prevalent.
This information could be very useful in helping public health officials better allocate resources to areas most affected by the disease, such as funding for care programs, hiring healthcare workers, and setting up support systems for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The researchers gathered data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, along with population estimates from the U.S. government, to map out the areas with the highest rates of Alzheimer’s.
Where Is Alzheimer’s Most Common?
The study highlighted several counties with particularly high rates of Alzheimer’s. Leading the list were:
- Miami-Dade County, Florida
- Baltimore City, Maryland
- Bronx County, New York
In each of these areas, 16.6% of older adults were living with Alzheimer’s. Other counties with high rates included:
- 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 (15%)
- El Paso County, Texas (15%)
These “Alzheimer’s hotspots” highlight the regions that may need the most attention when it comes to healthcare support for seniors with memory loss.
Who’s at Greater Risk?
Age plays a huge role in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but other factors come into play as well. The study showed that older Black Americans are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias compared to older white Americans.
Older Hispanic adults are also at increased risk—about 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s than white people of the same age.
Rajan emphasized that Alzheimer’s is a complex disease with many factors that contribute to it. It’s not just one thing that determines whether someone will get Alzheimer’s. A mix of factors, such as age, race, and environment, interact to increase the risk.
The Growing Impact of Alzheimer’s
Currently, around 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and the number is expected to rise in the coming years.
The West and Southwest regions are projected to see the biggest increase in Alzheimer’s cases between 2020 and 2025. This increase will place a growing strain on healthcare systems.
Matthew Baumgart, vice president of health policy at the Alzheimer’s Association, noted that understanding where Alzheimer’s is most common can help officials prepare for the future.
Knowing which areas have higher numbers of people with Alzheimer’s can guide decisions about where to provide extra support, such as health services, caregiver training, and culturally sensitive care programs.
As more people develop Alzheimer’s, there will also be a greater demand for healthcare professionals who are trained to diagnose, treat, and care for those living with the disease.
This includes doctors, nurses, and caregivers who can offer specialized care to help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Looking Ahead
The findings from this study were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam and were also published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
The results give healthcare providers, policy makers, and communities a valuable tool to better understand where Alzheimer’s is most common and where resources are needed most.
By focusing on these areas, it’s possible to improve care for millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and support their families in the years to come.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
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