Cuyahoga County in Ohio has emerged with the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in the state, according to recently released data from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. A staggering 13.4% of individuals aged 65 or older in Cuyahoga County are affected by this form of dementia, surpassing the rates in other Ohio counties.
The data reveals that more than 31,000 people in Cuyahoga County who are 65 years or older currently live with Alzheimer’s disease. This number is over 1,000 higher than Franklin County and almost double the count in Hamilton County.
The significance of this data is further amplified when considering the nationwide prevalence of Alzheimer’s. In Ohio alone, around 220,000 individuals are affected by this debilitating condition. On a national scale, an estimated 6.7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is worth noting that this is the first time Alzheimer’s prevalence data has been analyzed at a county level, shedding light on the specific impact of the disease in different regions.
Miami-Dade County in Florida tops the list of counties with the highest rates of Alzheimer’s among populations aged 65 and older, followed closely by Baltimore City in Maryland, Bronx County in New York, Orleans Parish in Louisiana, and El Paso County in Texas. The eastern and southeastern parts of the United States demonstrate the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s nationally.
As explained by Professor Kumar B. Rajan, a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Rush Medical College and presenting author of the study, the estimates are based on cognitive and demographic characteristics. Alzheimer’s is a complex disease influenced by various risk factors and demographic attributes that ultimately contribute to its prevalence.
Age is a primary risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease, with older Black Americans found to be twice as likely as their white counterparts to be affected by Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Similarly, older Hispanics face a one and a half times higher risk. Many of the counties with high prevalence rates have a larger population of Black or Hispanic individuals compared to the national average.
To provide a comprehensive view of Alzheimer’s prevalence at a county level in Ohio, please refer to the chart below that details the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease among individuals aged 65 and older in each county. (Chart not provided)
It is crucial to improve awareness and support for individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease, given the significant impact it has on communities. By understanding the prevalence of the disease in different regions, steps can be taken to allocate appropriate resources and develop tailored strategies to address the specific challenges faced by each community.
(Note: News generated using OpenAI technology)
