Jul 20, 2023 2 min read

A public health infrastructure for dementia is crucial

At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2023, researchers released the first-ever county-level prevalence estimates finding east and southeastern U.S. states have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia. In Washington County, the Alzheimer’s dementia prevalence estimate is 10.7% among residents age 65 or older. Beyond Washington County, prevalence estimates are 10.8% in Fayette County and 9.9% in Greene County,

The research comes following the release of “Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027” by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Road Map provides public health officials throughout the nation with a set of strategies to promote brain health and improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Alzheimer’s prevalence estimates can help public health officials determine the burden on the health care system and better understand areas of high risk and need. It is critical that we continue to implement a dementia public health infrastructure across the commonwealth.

Sara Murphy

Pittsburgh

Sara Murphy is vice president of programs and services for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.