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By Marni Rose McFall
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Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of Americans, and its impact varies significantly across the country.
While the disease is a nationwide concern, certain areas, particularly in the South and the Pacific Northwest, experience significantly higher mortality rates, according to data from 2022 released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Factors such as healthcare access, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions may contribute to these variations.
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
The National Institute on Ageing defines Alzheimer's disease as a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to perform simple tasks.
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It is most common in people over 65, with late-onset Alzheimer's being the predominant form. In rare cases, early-onset Alzheimer's can occur between a person's 30s and mid-60s. The disease is the leading cause of dementia among older adults.
Named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first observed abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled fibers (tau tangles) in the brain of a woman with memory loss and erratic behavior, these features remain key indicators of the disease today.
Alzheimer's is marked by the buildup of plaques and tangles, as well as the loss of connections between neurons that transmit messages within the brain and to other parts of the body. The damage initially impacts areas critical to memory, such as the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, before spreading to regions responsible for language, reasoning, and social behavior.
Over time, this widespread brain deterioration severely impairs cognitive and physical abilities, leading to the loss of independence in those affected. While scientists continue to investigate other complex brain changes that may contribute to Alzheimer's, plaques, tangles, and neuronal damage remain central to understanding the disease.
Which State Has the Highest Alzheimer's Mortality Rate?
The top three states with the highest Alzheimer's mortality rates are:
- Mississippi
- Washington
- Alabama
What Causes the State Differences?
According to research from the University of Alabama, Alzheimer's disease disproportionately affects the Deep South, where states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina see significantly higher rates of dementia.
People born in this region have a 20–30 percent greater risk of developing Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, largely due to underlying health disparities. Factors such as high rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and vascular disease in the region contribute to cognitive decline and increase dementia risk. These conditions are particularly prevalent among African Americans, who make up over 20 percent of the population in the Deep South, and face twice the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's compared to other groups.
A key issue in addressing Alzheimer's disparities is the underrepresentation of African Americans in Alzheimer's-related research. Although African Americans make up around 10 percent of the U.S. population over 55, few clinical studies have included a proportionate number of African American participants.
The Deep South is also a hotspot for other health conditions that heighten the risk of Alzheimer's, including cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. The so-called "Stroke Belt" and "Diabetes Belt"—areas in the region where those diseases are prevalent—contribute to widespread vascular problems and cognitive decline, while obesity is linked to inflammation that could exacerbate dementia.
A spokesperson for UsAgainstAlzheimer's told Newsweek that, "There are a number of comorbidities that can increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's or related dementias, and controlling these can reduce a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's. We should be clear that hypertension and diabetes are not really "lifestyle factors" but diseases that can be treated—and they should be treated."
"One of the things we are focused on is making sure the public knows there are things people can do to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's. Hypertension, diabetes, social isolation, and tobacco use, to name a few, are examples of the risk factors. But people can make simple lifestyle changes to reduce their risk. Exercise, sleep, eating a healthy diet, and even wearing hearing aids if you have hearing loss are just some of the actions people can take to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's."
"Access to information and healthcare are two of the biggest challenges," the spokesperson said.
"Working with the Centers for Disease Control, we are working very hard to reach these very communities so we can raise Alzheimer's awareness and encourage people to talk about it. But you still have the issue of access to healthcare and adequate treatment – not only for dementia but to address the other factors that increase the risk for Black and Latino people, in particular. We need a healthcare system that works for everyone; getting there is a major priority for UsAgainstAlzheimer's."
Update, 17/10/24, 12:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from UsAgainstAlzheimer's.
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