Racial and ethnic estimates of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the United States (2015-2060) in adults aged ≥65 years

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) cause a high burden of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Age, race, and ethnicity are important risk factors for ADRD.

Methods: We estimated the future US burden of ADRD by age, sex, and race and ethnicity by applying subgroup-specific prevalence among Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries aged ≥65 years in 2014 to subgroup-specific population estimates for 2014 and population projection data from the United States Census Bureau for 2015 to 2060.

Results: The burden of ADRD in 2014 was an estimated 5.0 million adults aged ≥65 years or 1.6% of the population, and there are significant disparities in ADRD prevalence among population subgroups defined by race and ethnicity. ADRD burden will double to 3.3% by 2060 when 13.9 million Americans are projected to have the disease.

Discussion: These estimates can be used to guide planning and interventions related to caring for the ADRD population and supporting caregivers.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Dementia; Estimates; Prevalence; Projections; Race and ethnicity.

Published by Elsevier Inc.

Figures

Fig. 1.

Estimated prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in the US Population aged ≥65 years, by sex and race and ethnicity; United States, 2014.

Fig. 2.

Estimated prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in the US Population aged ≥65 years, by age and race and ethnicity; United States, 2014.

Fig. 3.

Projected number of adults aged ≥65 years with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for all groups (A), and by sex (B), age (C), and race and ethnicity (D); 2015 to 2060. Abbreviations: ADRD, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia; AIAN, American Indian or Alaska Native; NH-White, Non-Hispanic white; PI, Pacific Islander.