The Rising Costs of Alzheimer’s Disease
The economic burden of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), including direct care costs and the costs of unpaid informal care, was between $157 billion and $215 billion in 2010. With the rapid aging of the U.S. population, costs of AD are predicted to reach $1 trillion by 2050.
Aging Minority Populations Hit Hard By Alzheimer’s Disease
Growing evidence suggests that AD disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minority groups such as Latinos, African Americans and Native Americans.
The prevalence of AD in Latinos is at least 50% greater than among non-Latino whites. In 2012, the population of non-Latino whites aged 65 or older was 34.2 million. That number is projected to grow to 54.8 million by 2036, reflecting the aging of the baby boomer population.
By 2060, there will be 21.5 million Latinos, 53.6 million non-Latino whites and 12 million African Americans aged 65 or older.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease
Diabetes is a major risk factor for AD. The growth rate of diabetes among Latinos and African American older adults is projected to be higher than that of non-Latino white older adults through 2050.
By 2060, there will be 3.6 million Latinos with AD, 6.3 million non-Latino whites with AD, and 2.7 million African Americans with AD.
Sources:
- Latinos and Alzheimer’s Disease: New Numbers Behind the Crisis
A study from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging - How Your Work Can Reduce Your Dementia Risk
A study from the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging
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