Alzheimer's disease, dementia cases to double by 2060
The number of people projected to
have Alzheimer's disease or dementia in the United States is expected to double
by 2060, says a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2014, there were 5 million
people in the U.S. with Alzheimer's or dementia. The CDC estimates by 2060,
that number will grow to 13.9 million.
"Early diagnosis is key to
helping people and their families cope with loss of memory, navigate the healthcare system, and plan for their care in the future," said CDC Director Dr.
Robert R. Redfield in a statement.
The study, which the CDC said is
the first to forecast estimates of Alzheimer's by race and ethnicity, found
non-Hispanic whites will have the most total cases of Alzheimer's and dementia.
However, because of population growth, Hispanic Americans will see the largest
projected increase in cases.
Among people who are 65 and
older, African-Americans have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's and
dementias at 13.8 percent, followed by Hispanics (12.2 percent), and non-Hispanic whites (10.3 percent).
By 2060, researchers project 3.2
million Hispanics and 2.2 million African-Americans will have Alzheimer's
disease or dementia. The CDC said as more people survive other diseases and
grow older, the odds of being diagnosed with dementia go up.
"It is important for people
who think their daily lives are impacted by memory loss to discuss these
concerns with a health care provider,"
Comments
Post a Comment