February is Heart Month: The Alzheimer's Link

Hispanic and African Americans in the United States will see the largest increases in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias between 2015 and 2060. 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. 

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. 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.  

Risk reduction is key. Managing blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes matters. View CDC's new Spanish language materials for the public and for health professionals. Additionally, Get registered for the Fab 5: Jump into Action with the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Live Webcast on Monday, February 24, at noon with national and state public health experts. 

They will be discussing action steps from the Healthy Brain Initiative State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map on how to quickly and strategically prepare your communities for the growing burden of dementia.