Racial and ethnic estimates of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the United States (2015-2060) in adults aged ≥65 years

Alzheimers Dement. 2019 Jan;15(1):17-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.3063. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) cause a high burden of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Age, race, and ethnicity are important risk factors for ADRD.

Methods: We estimated the future US burden of ADRD by age, sex, and race and ethnicity by applying subgroup-specific prevalence among Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries aged ≥65 years in 2014 to subgroup-specific population estimates for 2014 and population projection data from the United States Census Bureau for 2015 to 2060.

Results: The burden of ADRD in 2014 was an estimated 5.0 million adults aged ≥65 years or 1.6% of the population, and there are significant disparities in ADRD prevalence among population subgroups defined by race and ethnicity. ADRD burden will double to 3.3% by 2060 when 13.9 million Americans are projected to have the disease.

Discussion: These estimates can be used to guide planning and interventions related to caring for the ADRD population and supporting caregivers.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Dementia; Estimates; Prevalence; Projections; Race and ethnicity.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / classification
  • Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / ethnology*
  • Fee-for-Service Plans / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medicare / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Racial Groups*
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology