Largest Dementia Prevalence Increase Projected Among Minority Groups

Between 2014 and 2060, minority racial and ethnic populations — including Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and African Americans — are projected to have large increases in Alzheimer’s and other dementias prevalence, according to a new analysis from the CDC published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Overall prevalence of dementia is projected to rise from 1.9 percent of the United States population aged 65 years or older (in 2014) to 3.3 percent of that population by 2060.

Researchers used U.S. Census Bureau and Medicare fee-for-service data to estimate the number of people with Alzheimer’s by age, sex, race, and ethnicity in 2014 and 2060. During that timeframe, the projected percentage increases in prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias are:

644 percent among Hispanics
520 percent among Asian and Pacific Islanders
477 percent among American Indian and Alaska Natives
279 percent among African Americans
90 percent among whites

The analysts indicate these prevalence increases are expected as a result of fewer people dying from other chronic diseases and surviving into older adulthood when the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias rises. With an enhanced emphasis on promoting health equity, the HBI Road Map recommends using surveillance data like these to prioritize systemic disparities that may differentially impact minority and underserved populations. Learn more about data and needs assessments on alz.org/publichealth.