Facts & Figures

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects approximately 12,500 Alaskans and 5.8 million people in the US, and is the sixth-leading cause of death in adults.

Approximately 5.8 million people in the United States age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease. Of those, 80% are 75 years old and older. Out of the approximately 50 million people worldwide with dementia, between 60% and 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Men and women are affected almost equally.

Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are older than age 65; however, Alzheimer’s can occur in people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

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Looking to the Future

Alaska is one of the fastest aging states in the nation. An aging population means an increase in a difficult diagnosis: Alzheimer’s Disease. Every person with Alzheimer’s Disease eventually requires round-the-clock care. Alaska is not prepared to meet this quietly encroaching epidemic.

The Alaska Dementia Action Collaborative is a coalition of public-private partners committed to preparing Alaska State for the growth of the dementia population.