A new study has found that Alzheimer’s disease, a serious illness that affects memory and thinking, is most common in the East and Southeast parts of the United States.
This includes places like Florida, Maryland, and parts of New York. These areas have the highest numbers of older people living with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease mostly affects people over the age of 65. It slowly damages the brain and causes memory loss, confusion, and trouble doing everyday tasks. Right now, about 6.7 million people in the U.S. are living with this disease, and that number is expected to grow fast in the next few years.
Researchers believe that one reason some areas have more cases than others is because they have more older adults and larger Black and Hispanic communities. These groups are known to be at higher risk for Alzheimer’s.
In fact, older Black Americans are about twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s as white Americans, and older Hispanic adults are about 1.5 times more likely.
The researchers looked at data from all 3,142 counties in the U.S. They used information from the Chicago Health and Aging Project and U.S. population estimates to figure out how many people in each county might have Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Kumar Rajan, a doctor and professor at Rush Medical College in Chicago, helped lead the study. He said this information is important because it shows where help is most needed. Knowing which places are affected the most can help health officials decide where to send more money, resources, and care services.
Some of the places with the highest rates of Alzheimer’s include Miami-Dade County in Florida, Baltimore City in Maryland, and the Bronx in New York. In each of these areas, about 16.6% of people over age 65 have Alzheimer’s.
Other counties with high numbers are Prince George’s County in Maryland, Hinds County in Mississippi, and Orleans Parish in Louisiana. In all of these places, more than 15% of older adults are living with the disease.
These numbers are much higher than the national average and show where extra support is needed. That includes not only doctors and nurses but also help for family members who take care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
Matthew Baumgart, a leader at the Alzheimer’s Association, said that this study helps us understand just how big of a burden Alzheimer’s puts on families and the healthcare system. He also said that support should be culturally sensitive, meaning it should respect people’s backgrounds and needs.
Dr. Rajan said that Alzheimer’s does not have just one cause. It’s a complicated disease that can come from a mix of age, family history, overall health, and the environment a person lives in. This means that treatment and care plans also need to be flexible and personalized.
The number of people with Alzheimer’s is expected to rise, especially in Western and Southwestern states. Because of this, we will need more trained healthcare workers and support services in those areas. Taking steps now to prepare can make a big difference in how families and communities handle this growing challenge.
The study’s results were shared at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam and were also 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 health information, 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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