At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2023, researchers released the first county-level prevalence estimates, finding that east and southeast U.S. states have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia.
In New Castle County, estimates show that, among the 65-and-older population, there is a 12.3% prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. Prevalence in Kent County is 11.3% and 9.8% in Sussex County.
The research comes following the release of “The Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027” by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The map provides public health officials throughout the nation a set of strategies to promote brain health and improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Alzheimer’s prevalence estimates can help public health officials determine the burden on the health care system and better understand areas of high risk and need. It is critical that we continue to move forward the state’s plans addressing Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
Lori Balog
Health systems director
Alzheimer’s Association’s Delaware Valley chapter
Newport
