A recent study has found that the risk of developing dementia after age 55 is alarmingly high, with 42% of Americans facing this risk. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, used data from nearly 16,000 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS) and projects that half a million new cases will emerge this year, rising to one million by 2060.
The increasing number of dementia cases is largely attributed to the aging US population, as well as genetic factors, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. The study’s authors attribute previous underestimates of dementia risk to inadequate documentation in health records and death certificates, minimal surveillance of early-stage cases, and underreporting among racial minority groups.
The study found that middle-aged Americans have a 42% lifetime risk of developing dementia, with women facing a higher risk due to lower death rates. Black adults and those carrying the APOE4 gene variant also face an increased risk of 45-60%. The authors emphasize the need for health policymakers to refocus on strategies to minimize severity and provide more healthcare services for those with dementia.
Dr. Josef Coresh, lead author, recommends improved monitoring, testing, and government assistance programs to support healthy hearing among older adults, particularly in addressing racial inequities in healthcare. He also calls for increased resources to address childhood education and nutrition, which have been shown to benefit cognitive decline later in life.
Source: https://nyulangone.org/news/united-states-dementia-cases-estimated-double-2060