As the American population ages, the number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is set to explode, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In 2014, about 5 million Americans aged 65 and older had Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, about 1.6 percent of the U.S. population. By 2060, with an estimated population of 417 million, that burden will double to 3.3 percent, or about 13.9 million Americans, the study predicted.
The results underscore the rising need to address preventive interventions and treatment options for the disease “to ensure these projections are never reached,” the study reads. The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, and is the first to predict the disease by race and ethnicity.
The prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease varies across ethnic groups, with the Hispanic population having the largest projected increase in disease over the projection period. The non-Hispanic white population will have the highest total number of Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases, given the relative population size.
“This study shows that as the U.S. population increases, the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will rise, especially among minority populations,” CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, said in a statement. “Early diagnosis is key to helping people and their families cope with loss of memory, navigate the health care system, and plan for their care in the future.”
Currently, African-Americans have the highest rate of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia among people aged 65 and older, at 13.8 percent, followed by Hispanics (12.2 percent) and non-Hispanic whites (10.3 percent). By 2060, there will be 3.2 million Hispanics and 2.2 million African-Americans with the disease and related dementias. As more older people live longer and survive other diseases, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and dementia will continue to rise, the research found.
The agency also underscored the need for early diagnosis and treatment options.
“It is important for people who think their daily lives are impacted by memory loss to discuss these concerns with a health care provider. An early assessment and diagnosis is key to planning for their health care needs, including long-term services and supports, as the disease progresses,” Kevin Matthews, PhD, health geographer and lead author of the study with the CDC’s Division of Population Health, said in a statement.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."