Alzheimer’s Disease Prevalence
Disparities
There
is gender disparity in the prevalence of this disease as studies show that
nearly two-thirds of all Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women. Of
the 5.2 million people over age 65 with Alzheimer’s in the United States, 3.4 million are women
and1.8 million are men. Further analyses show that “the larger proportion of
older women than men who have Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia is
primarily explained by the fact that women live longer on average than men” (Alzheimer's Association, 2011, p. 12).
In
United States, data indicates that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is
also higher in older African-Americans than older whites and Hispanics. No known genetic
factors can account for these prevalence differences across racial groups.
Instead, health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, lower
levels of education and other differences in socioeconomic characteristics that
are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are more common in older
African-Americans and Hispanics than in older whites.
It
is also more prevalent in states that have higher population such as New York
and California (Alzheimer's Association, 2011).
It is estimated that South and West are expected to experience
50 % and greater increases in numbers of people with Alzheimer’s between 2000
and 2025. Some states (Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming) are
projected to experience a doubling (or more) in number of people with
Alzheimer’s (CDC, 2011).
References
Alzheimer's Association.
(2012). 2012 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures . Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp
CDC. (2011). World’s Alzheimer day. Rerieved from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/WorldAlzheimersDay/
Hello Abeer,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important health topic. Alzheimers is a devastating and cruel disease that strips a person of their ability to age gracefully. This disease takes its toll not only on the person who was diagnosed but on the family members too. Family members can experience a whole set of emotions, such as guilt, anger and depression as they watch their loved ones deteriorate; they need support just like their loved one.
It is interesting that one of the factors associated with Alzheimer’s if low socioeconomic status. Could this be because those who have a lower education level not engaging their brain the same as someone with a higher education level causing the brains cell to deteriorate and dies? This is very interesting piece to the puzzle.
I like the picture of the elderly man wearing an identification shirt that is an ingenious idea. Thanks for the information.
Have a great weekend,
Tracy