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2024 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:3708-3821. [PMID: 38689398 PMCID: PMC11095490 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
This article describes the public health impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including prevalence and incidence, mortality and morbidity, use and costs of care and the ramifications of AD for family caregivers, the dementia workforce and society. The Special Report discusses the larger health care system for older adults with cognitive issues, focusing on the role of caregivers and non-physician health care professionals. An estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia today. This number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure AD. Official AD death certificates recorded 119,399 deaths from AD in 2021. In 2020 and 2021, when COVID-19 entered the ranks of the top ten causes of death, Alzheimer's was the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. Official counts for more recent years are still being compiled. Alzheimer's remains the fifth-leading cause of death among Americans age 65 and older. Between 2000 and 2021, deaths from stroke, heart disease and HIV decreased, whereas reported deaths from AD increased more than 140%. More than 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in 2023. These figures reflect a decline in the number of caregivers compared with a decade earlier, as well as an increase in the amount of care provided by each remaining caregiver. Unpaid dementia caregiving was valued at $346.6 billion in 2023. Its costs, however, extend to unpaid caregivers' increased risk for emotional distress and negative mental and physical health outcomes. Members of the paid health care and broader community-based workforce are involved in diagnosing, treating and caring for people with dementia. However, the United States faces growing shortages across different segments of the dementia care workforce due to a combination of factors, including the absolute increase in the number of people living with dementia. Therefore, targeted programs and care delivery models will be needed to attract, better train and effectively deploy health care and community-based workers to provide dementia care. Average per-person Medicare payments for services to beneficiaries age 65 and older with AD or other dementias are almost three times as great as payments for beneficiaries without these conditions, and Medicaid payments are more than 22 times as great. Total payments in 2024 for health care, long-term care and hospice services for people age 65 and older with dementia are estimated to be $360 billion. The Special Report investigates how caregivers of older adults with cognitive issues interact with the health care system and examines the role non-physician health care professionals play in facilitating clinical care and access to community-based services and supports. It includes surveys of caregivers and health care workers, focusing on their experiences, challenges, awareness and perceptions of dementia care navigation.
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Gaugler JE, Borson S, Epps F, Shih RA, Parker LJ, McGuire LC. The intersection of social determinants of health and family care of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A public health opportunity. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:5837-5846. [PMID: 37698187 PMCID: PMC10840787 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
In this Perspective article, we highlight current research to illustrate the intersection of social determinants of health (SDOHs) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) caregiving. We then outline how public health can support ADRD family caregivers in the United States. Emerging research suggests that family care for persons with ADRD is influenced by SDOHs. Public health actions that address these intersections such as improved surveillance and identification of ADRD caregivers; building and enhancing community partnerships; advancing dementia-capable health care and related payment incentives; and reducing the stigma of dementia and ADRD caregiving can potentially enhance the health and well-being of dementia caregivers. By engaging in one or all of these actions, public health practitioners could more effectively address the myriad of challenges facing ADRD caregivers most at risk for emotional, social, financial, psychological, and health disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E. Gaugler
- Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure (BOLD) Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Soo Borson
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Early Detection, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fayron Epps
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Regina A. Shih
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, RAND Social and Behavioral Policy Program, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Lauren J. Parker
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lisa C. McGuire
- Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Lin X, Moxley JH, Czaja SJ. Caring for Dementia Caregivers: Psychosocial Factors Related to Engagement in Self-Care Activities. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:851. [PMID: 37887501 PMCID: PMC10604240 DOI: 10.3390/bs13100851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Caregivers often prioritize the needs of the care recipient and neglect their own health needs. It is imperative to understand the factors related to their self-care practices and engagement in self-care activities. The present study examined the extent to which dementia caregivers engaged in self-care activities, how this varied depending on caregiver characteristics, and whether self-care engagement mediated the relationship between social support and caregiver outcomes. The study utilized baseline data from a diverse sample of dementia caregivers (N = 243) who participated in a randomized trial evaluating a psychosocial technology-based caregiver intervention. Results showed that the dementia caregivers engaged in low levels of self-care activities and that their engagement varied based on the caregivers' background characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, relationship to the care recipient, and employment status). Less caregiver involvement (e.g., less ADL/IADL help provided and more caregiver preparedness) and more social support predicted higher self-care activity engagement. Self-care activity engagement served as a mediator, such that more social support predicted more self-care activities, which, in turn, were associated with more positive perceptions of caregiving and less caregiver burden and depression. The findings suggest a need for interventions that promote self-care engagement among dementia caregivers and underscore the importance of social support and caregiver preparedness to caregivers' well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyao Lin
- Center on Aging and Behavioral Research, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; (J.H.M.); (S.J.C.)
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Miller MC, Bayakly R, Schreurs BG, Flicker KJ, Adams SA, Ingram LA, Hardin JW, Lohman M, Ford ME, McCollum Q, McCrary-Quarles A, Ariyo O, Levkoff SE, Friedman DB. Highlighting the value of Alzheimer's disease-focused registries: lessons learned from cancer surveillance. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1179275. [PMID: 37214775 PMCID: PMC10196140 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1179275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Like cancer, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) comprise a global health burden that can benefit tremendously from the power of disease registry data. With an aging population, the incidence, treatment, and mortality from ADRD is increasing and changing rapidly. In the same way that current cancer registries work toward prevention and control, so do ADRD registries. ADRD registries maintain a comprehensive and accurate registry of ADRD within their state, provide disease prevalence estimates to enable better planning for social and medical services, identify differences in disease prevalence among demographic groups, help those who care for individuals with ADRD, and foster research into risk factors for ADRD. ADRD registries offer a unique opportunity to conduct high-impact, scientifically rigorous research efficiently. As research on and development of ADRD treatments continue to be a priority, such registries can be powerful tools for conducting observational studies of the disease. This perspectives piece examines how established cancer registries can inform ADRD registries' impact on public health surveillance, research, and intervention, and inform and engage policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C. Miller
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Office of the Study of Aging, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Rana Bayakly
- Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Bernard G. Schreurs
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Kimberly J. Flicker
- Office of the Study of Aging, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Swann Arp Adams
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Lucy A. Ingram
- Office of the Study of Aging, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - James W. Hardin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Matthew Lohman
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Office of the Study of Aging, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Marvella E. Ford
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Hollings Cancer Center, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Quentin McCollum
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Audrey McCrary-Quarles
- Department of Health Sciences, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, United States
| | - Oluwole Ariyo
- Department of Biology, Allen University, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Sue E. Levkoff
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Daniela B. Friedman
- Office of the Study of Aging, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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Abstract
This article describes the public health impact of Alzheimer's disease, including prevalence and incidence, mortality and morbidity, use and costs of care, and the overall impact on family caregivers, the dementia workforce and society. The Special Report examines the patient journey from awareness of cognitive changes to potential treatment with drugs that change the underlying biology of Alzheimer's. An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia today. This number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060 barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or cure AD. Official death certificates recorded 121,499 deaths from AD in 2019, and Alzheimer's disease was officially listed as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. In 2020 and 2021, when COVID-19 entered the ranks of the top ten causes of death, Alzheimer's was the seventh-leading cause of death. Alzheimer's remains the fifth-leading cause of death among Americans age 65 and older. Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from stroke, heart disease and HIV decreased, whereas reported deaths from AD increased more than 145%. This trajectory of deaths from AD was likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. More than 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in 2022. These figures reflect a decline in the number of caregivers compared with a decade earlier, as well as an increase in the amount of care provided by each remaining caregiver. Unpaid dementia caregiving was valued at $339.5 billion in 2022. Its costs, however, extend to family caregivers' increased risk for emotional distress and negative mental and physical health outcomes - costs that have been aggravated by COVID-19. Members of the paid health care workforce are involved in diagnosing, treating and caring for people with dementia. In recent years, however, a shortage of such workers has developed in the United States. This shortage - brought about, in part, by COVID-19 - has occurred at a time when more members of the dementia care workforce are needed. Therefore, programs will be needed to attract workers and better train health care teams. Average per-person Medicare payments for services to beneficiaries age 65 and older with AD or other dementias are almost three times as great as payments for beneficiaries without these conditions, and Medicaid payments are more than 22 times as great. Total payments in 2023 for health care, long-term care and hospice services for people age 65 and older with dementia are estimated to be $345 billion. The Special Report examines whether there will be sufficient numbers of physician specialists to provide Alzheimer's care and treatment now that two drugs are available that change the underlying biology of Alzheimer's disease.
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Kindratt TB, Sylvers DL, Yoshikawa A, López-Anuarbe M, Webster NJ, Bouldin ED. Dementia Caregiving Experiences and Health Across Geographic Contexts by Race and Ethnicity. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:S48-S58. [PMID: 36913373 PMCID: PMC10010466 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Few studies have examined how the intersectionality of geographic context and race/ethnicity influences dementia caregiving. Our objectives were to determine whether caregiver experiences and health (a) differed across metro and nonmetro areas and (b) differed by caregiver race/ethnicity and geography. METHODS We used data from the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. The sample included caregivers (n = 808) of care recipients ages 65 and older with "probable" dementia (n = 482). The geographic context was defined as the care recipient's residence in metro or nonmetro counties. Outcomes included caregiving experiences (care situation, burden, and gains) and health (self-rated anxiety, depression symptoms, and chronic health conditions). RESULTS Bivariate analyses indicated that nonmetro dementia caregivers were less racially/ethnically diverse (82.7% White, non-Hispanic) and more were spouses/partners (20.2%) than their metro counterparts (66.6% White, non-Hispanic; 13.3% spouses/partners). Among racial/ethnic minority dementia caregivers, nonmetro context was associated with more chronic conditions (p < .01), providing less care (p < .01), and not coresiding with care recipients (p < .001). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that nonmetro minority dementia caregivers had 3.11 times higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-9.00) of reporting anxiety in comparison to metro minority dementia caregivers. DISCUSSION Geographic context shapes dementia caregiving experiences and caregiver health differently across racial/ethnic groups. Findings are consistent with previous studies that have shown that feelings of uncertainty, helplessness, guilt, and distress are more prevalent among people providing caregiving from a distance. Despite higher rates of dementia and dementia-related mortality in nonmetro areas, findings suggest both positive and negative aspects of caregiving among White and racial/ethnic minority caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany B Kindratt
- Public Health Program, Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Dominique L Sylvers
- Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research and School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Aya Yoshikawa
- School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology, College of Health Sciences, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, USA
| | | | - Noah J Webster
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Erin D Bouldin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Frederiksen KS, Lanctôt KL, Weidner W, Hahn-Pedersen JH, Mattke S. A Literature Review on the Burden of Alzheimer's Disease on Care Partners. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:947-966. [PMID: 37980660 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are dependent on nonprofessional care partners. Providing informal care can result in emotional, physical, and financial burdens; however, there is a need for a better understanding of the impact of AD on care partners to support the clinical and economic assessment of potential new treatments. OBJECTIVE We conducted a literature review to evaluate the burden experienced by care partners of individuals with AD. METHODS Electronic screening and supplementary searches identified studies published from 2011 to 2022 describing the association between AD and the quality of life (QoL) and physical health of care partners, and the economic or financial burden of AD. RESULTS Following electronic screening, 62, 25, and 39 studies were included on care partner burden, cost, and healthcare resource use in AD, respectively. Supplementary searches identified an additional 32 studies, resulting in 149 unique studies. These studies showed that care partners of individuals with AD report moderate to severe burden. Higher burden and lower QoL were observed in those caring for individuals with more severe AD. Care partners of individuals with AD experience higher burden, lower QoL, and higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety than those without caring responsibilities. Informal care costs increased with AD severity and accounted for the greatest proportion of overall societal cost. CONCLUSIONS Care partners of individuals with AD experience emotional and economic burden, which increases with AD severity. These impacts should be quantified comprehensively in future studies and captured in economic evaluations of AD interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Steen Frederiksen
- Danish Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Soeren Mattke
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, US
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Alhasan DM, Lohman MC, Hirsch JA, Miller MC, Cai B, Jackson CL. Neighborhood characteristics and dementia symptomology among community-dwelling older adults with Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:937915. [PMID: 36204556 PMCID: PMC9530440 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.937915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) lead to myriad poor health outcomes among individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prior studies have observed associations between the various aspects of the home environment and NPSs, but macro-level environmental stressors (e.g., neighborhood income) may also disrupt the neuronal microenvironment and exacerbate NPSs. Yet, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the relationship between the neighborhood environment and NPSs. Methods Using 2010 data among older adults with AD collected from a sample of the South Carolina Alzheimer's Disease Registry, we estimated cross-sectional associations between neighborhood characteristics and NPSs in the overall population and by race/ethnicity. Neighborhood measures (within a 1/2-mile radius of residence) came from the American Community Survey and Rural Urban Commuting Area Code. We categorized median household income into tertiles: < $30,500, $30,500-40,000, and > $40,000, and rurality as: rural, small urban, and large urban. Residential instability was defined as the percent of residents who moved within the past year. NPSs were defined using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire that included the composite measure of all 12 domains. Adjusting for age, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, and caregiver educational attainment, we used negative binomial regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for NPSs by neighborhood characteristics. Results Among 212 eligible participants, mean age was 82 ± 8.7 years, 72% were women, and 55% non-Hispanic (NH)-Black. Individuals with AD living in < $30,500 vs. > $40,000 income neighborhoods had a 53% (PR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.06-2.23) higher prevalence of NPSs while individuals living in rural vs. large urban neighborhoods had a 36% lower prevalence of NPSs (PR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.45-0.90), after adjustment. We did not observe an association between residential instability and NPSs (PR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.86-1.00); however, our estimates suggested differences by race/ethnicity where NH-White older adults living in residential instable areas had lower NPSs (PR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.82-0.96) compared to NH-Black older adults (PR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.86-1.07). Discussion Across racial/ethnic groups, individuals with AD had more symptomology when living in lower income areas. Pending replication, intervention efforts should consider resource allocation to high-need neighborhoods (e.g., lower income), and studies should investigate underlying mechanisms for this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M Alhasan
- Epidemiology Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Matthew C Lohman
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Jana A Hirsch
- Urban Health Collaborative, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Maggi C Miller
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Bo Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Chandra L Jackson
- Epidemiology Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.,Intramural Program, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Saiyasit N, Butlig EAR, Chaney SD, Traylor MK, Hawley NA, Randall RB, Bobinger HV, Frizell CA, Trimm F, Crook ED, Lin M, Hill BD, Keller JL, Nelson AR. Neurovascular Dysfunction in Diverse Communities With Health Disparities-Contributions to Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:915405. [PMID: 35844216 PMCID: PMC9279126 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.915405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are an expanding worldwide crisis. In the absence of scientific breakthroughs, the global prevalence of ADRD will continue to increase as more people are living longer. Racial or ethnic minority groups have an increased risk and incidence of ADRD and have often been neglected by the scientific research community. There is mounting evidence that vascular insults in the brain can initiate a series of biological events leading to neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and ADRD. We are a group of researchers interested in developing and expanding ADRD research, with an emphasis on vascular contributions to dementia, to serve our local diverse community. Toward this goal, the primary objective of this review was to investigate and better understand health disparities in Alabama and the contributions of the social determinants of health to those disparities, particularly in the context of vascular dysfunction in ADRD. Here, we explain the neurovascular dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors contributing to dysfunction of the neurovascular unit (NVU). Next, we ascertain ethnoregional health disparities of individuals living in Alabama, as well as relevant vascular risk factors linked to AD. We also discuss current pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment options for neurovascular dysfunction, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, including relevant studies and ongoing clinical trials. Overall, individuals in Alabama are adversely affected by social and structural determinants of health leading to health disparities, driven by rurality, ethnic minority status, and lower socioeconomic status (SES). In general, these communities have limited access to healthcare and healthy food and other amenities resulting in decreased opportunities for early diagnosis of and pharmaceutical treatments for ADRD. Although this review is focused on the current state of health disparities of ADRD patients in Alabama, future studies must include diversity of race, ethnicity, and region to best be able to treat all individuals affected by ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Napatsorn Saiyasit
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Evan-Angelo R. Butlig
- Department of Neurology, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Samantha D. Chaney
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Miranda K. Traylor
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Nanako A. Hawley
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Ryleigh B. Randall
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Hanna V. Bobinger
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Carl A. Frizell
- Department of Physician Assistant Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Franklin Trimm
- College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Errol D. Crook
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Mike Lin
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Hill
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Joshua L. Keller
- Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Amy R. Nelson
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
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Abstract
This article describes the public health impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including incidence and prevalence, mortality and morbidity, use and costs of care, and the overall impact on family caregivers, the dementia workforce and society. The Special Report discusses consumers' and primary care physicians' perspectives on awareness, diagnosis and treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), including MCI due to Alzheimer's disease. An estimated 6.5 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia today. This number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060 barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or cure AD. Official death certificates recorded 121,499 deaths from AD in 2019, the latest year for which data are available. Alzheimer's disease was officially listed as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States in 2019 and the seventh-leading cause of death in 2020 and 2021, when COVID-19 entered the ranks of the top ten causes of death. Alzheimer's remains the fifth-leading cause of death among Americans age 65 and older. Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from stroke, heart disease and HIV decreased, whereas reported deaths from AD increased more than 145%. More than 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 16 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in 2021. These figures reflect a decline in the number of caregivers compared with a decade earlier, as well as an increase in the amount of care provided by each remaining caregiver. Unpaid dementia caregiving was valued at $271.6 billion in 2021. Its costs, however, extend to family caregivers' increased risk for emotional distress and negative mental and physical health outcomes - costs that have been aggravated by COVID-19. Members of the dementia care workforce have also been affected by COVID-19. As essential care workers, some have opted to change jobs to protect their own health and the health of their families. However, this occurs at a time when more members of the dementia care workforce are needed. Average per-person Medicare payments for services to beneficiaries age 65 and older with AD or other dementias are almost three times as great as payments for beneficiaries without these conditions, and Medicaid payments are more than 22 times as great. Total payments in 2022 for health care, long-term care and hospice services for people age 65 and older with dementia are estimated to be $321 billion. A recent survey commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association revealed several barriers to consumers' understanding of MCI. The survey showed low awareness of MCI among Americans, a reluctance among Americans to see their doctor after noticing MCI symptoms, and persistent challenges for primary care physicians in diagnosing MCI. Survey results indicate the need to improve MCI awareness and diagnosis, especially in underserved communities, and to encourage greater participation in MCI-related clinical trials.
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