A recent study has shed light on the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease across the United States, revealing significant regional differences.
The East and Southeast regions of the country are reported to have the highest incidence of this form of memory loss.
This pattern is thought to be influenced by the demographic makeup of these areas, which have larger populations of older adults and Black and Hispanic communities.
The comprehensive study examined all 3,142 counties in the U.S., providing a detailed landscape of where Alzheimer’s disease is most commonly diagnosed.
Professor Kumar Rajan from Rush Medical College in Chicago emphasized the importance of these findings.
By identifying the areas most affected by Alzheimer’s, the study aims to enhance public awareness and guide the allocation of resources for healthcare and support services tailored to the needs of people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project and the U.S. government’s population estimates were instrumental in determining the regions with the highest rates of Alzheimer’s.
Notably, Miami-Dade County in Florida, Baltimore City in Maryland, and Bronx County in New York emerged as the top three hotspots, with each reporting 16.6% of their senior population affected by the disease.
The study also showed the disproportionate risk among older Black Americans, who are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias compared to their white counterparts.
Similarly, older Hispanic adults have a 1.5 times higher risk than older white individuals.
These findings underscore the complexity of Alzheimer’s disease, which is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, along with individual demographic characteristics.
Currently, approximately 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The study projects that the West and Southwest regions of the U.S. will experience the most significant increase in Alzheimer’s cases between 2020 and 2025.
This growing trend highlights the urgent need for a well-trained healthcare workforce equipped to diagnose, treat, and care for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s.
The study’s findings can help in planning culturally sensitive health support and caregiver training programs, particularly in areas with high concentrations of affected communities.
As the number of people with Alzheimer’s continues to rise, the call for a skilled workforce and comprehensive support systems becomes more pressing.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
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