A new study has found that Alzheimer’s disease is most common in the East and Southeast parts of the United States. These areas, which include places like Florida, Maryland, and parts of New York, have the highest number of older adults living with this type of memory loss.
The researchers say this may be because more older people — along with more Black and Hispanic communities — live in those regions. These groups are known to be at higher risk for Alzheimer’s.
The study looked at data from all 3,142 counties in the U.S. It used information from the Chicago Health and Aging Project and the U.S. government’s population estimates to calculate how common Alzheimer’s is in each county.
What the Study Found
Dr. Kumar Rajan, a professor of internal medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago, helped lead the study. He said the results give a clearer picture of where the disease is hitting hardest. This is important because it can help public health programs decide where to focus their efforts and resources — such as funding, caregivers, and support services.
Alzheimer’s Hotspots
According to the study, the counties with the highest percentage of older adults with Alzheimer’s include:
- Miami-Dade County, Florida
- Baltimore City, Maryland
- Bronx County, New York
In each of these places, about 16.6% of seniors are living with Alzheimer’s.
Other areas 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, South Carolina (15.2%)
- Imperial County, California (15%)
- El Paso County, Texas (15%)
These numbers are much higher than the national average and show where the need for Alzheimer’s care and services is greatest.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Age is the biggest risk factor. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop Alzheimer’s. But race and ethnicity also play a role. Older Black Americans are about twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s as older white Americans. Hispanic seniors are about 1.5 times as likely to develop it.
Dr. Rajan explained that Alzheimer’s is a complex disease. It doesn’t have just one cause. It’s the result of many factors that combine with who you are — including your age, your genes, your health history, and your environment.
Why This Matters
Right now, about 6.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. The number is expected to rise quickly in the coming years, especially in the West and Southwest parts of the country.
Matthew Baumgart, a leader at the Alzheimer’s Association, said that this kind of research helps health officials understand the pressure Alzheimer’s puts on the healthcare system. It also shows where support is most needed — not just medical care, but also help for family caregivers and culturally sensitive resources.
As the number of people with Alzheimer’s grows, so does the need for trained doctors, nurses, and caregivers who understand how to care for people with memory loss.
The findings from this study were shared at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam and published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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