Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability
Mike Hann, Executive Director
Alzheimer's Disease - Why so much emphasis?
Our population is aging. Just look at the baby boomers, ranging from their 40's to their 50's, the largest demographic in their age category. It is expected that Alzheimer's Disease patients will greatly increase. Researchers around the world are working feverishly to find a treatment that will control, cure or prevent Alzheimer's Disease.
Statistics show that:
- 4 million people over age 65 are afflicted with this disease
- By 2050 that number may climb to 14 million
- One in 10 persons over age 65 have the disease
- Nearly half are over age 85
- A small percentage of younger people in their 30's and 40's get the disease
- Recent research has shown links between some genes and AD, but in about 90% of cases, there is no clear genetic link
- Deaths Annually: 49,558 (2000 census)
- Age-Adjusted Death Rate: 18.0 deaths per 100,000 population 2000)
- Cause of Death Rank Among Americans: 8th (2000) Source: National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 50, No. 15
- The U.S. spends over 100 billion dollars on the disease. Medicare and private insurance do not cover the long term care needs of Alzheimer's Disease.
