Minorities and Women Are at Greater Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

"Are you more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease? Read about who is at risk and what you can do.

Hispanic and African Americans in the United States will see the largest increases in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias between 2015 and 2060.¹ Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Current estimates are that about 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including 5.6 million aged 65 and older and about 200,000 under age 65 with younger-onset Alzheimer’s.²

By 2060, the number of Alzheimer’s disease cases is predicted to rise to an estimated 14 million people, with minority populations being affected the most.¹

• Cases among Hispanics will increase seven times over today’s estimates.
• Cases among African Americans will increase four times over today’s estimates.

Health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes may account for these differences, as they are more common in the Hispanic and African American populations. Lower levels of education, higher rates of poverty, and greater exposure to adversity and discrimination may also increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease.²

Among all races, women are nearly two times more likely to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease than men.^1,2 The difference is due primarily to women living longer.²

Understanding the disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is the first step toward developing prevention strategies and targeting services to those most at risk for developing the disease..."
Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

"Did you know that the number of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to nearly triple over the next 30 years? Learn who’s at risk and steps you can take to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and related dementias that cause memory decline and loss of independence.

Alzheimer’s and related dementias have wide-ranging impacts not only on those with the disease, their families and caregivers, but also on communities and health-care systems. Learn what communities, the public health workforce, health care professionals, and decision-makers can do to improve the lives of people who live with these illnesses.

What are Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

Dementia is a general term for conditions that cause loss of memory severe enough that they may impact a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. There are many kinds of dementia, but Alzheimer’s is the most common type.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, language, and behavior. It may begin with mild memory loss, and symptoms can slowly worsen over time..."
Alzheimer's disease

2014 National Alzheimer’s Disease Plan

"HHS today[4-29-14] released the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease: 2014 Update, reflecting the nation’s progress toward accomplishing goals set in 2012 and current action steps to achieving them. The 2011 National Alzheimer’s Project Act calls for all Plans to be updated annually; the 2014 Plan follows the initial Plan released in May 2012 and an updated Plan released in June 2013.

The 2014 Plan was developed with input from experts in aging and Alzheimer’s disease from federal, state, private and non-profit organizations, as well as caregivers and people with the disease. The 2014 Plan includes the following five goals: finding ways to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025; enhancing care for Alzheimer’s patients; expanding support for people with dementia and their families; improving public awareness; and carefully tracking data to support these efforts..."
Alzheimer Disease

National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease

"This is the first National Plan. This plan includes a detailed listing of current federal activities and, as directed by NAPA, initial recommendations for priority actions to expand, eliminate, coordinate or condense programs. The activities outlined in this plan vary in scope and impact and include: (1) immediate actions that the federal government will take; (2) actions toward the goals that can be initiated by the federal government or its public and private partners in the near term; and (3) longer-range goals that will require numerous actions to achieve..."

National Plan To Address Alzheimer’s Disease (Draft)

"This plan includes a detailed listing of current federal activities and, as directed by NAPA, initial recommendations for priority actions to expand, eliminate, coordinate or condense programs. The activities outlined in this plan vary in scope and impact and include: (1) immediate actions that the federal government will take; (2) actions toward the goals that can be initiated by the federal government or its public and private partners in the near term; and (3) longer-range goals that will require numerous actions to achieve..."