The Alzheimer’s Association reports that in 2007 there are now more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease. Someone develops Alzheimer?s every 72 seconds, according to new Alzheimer?s Association report.
This number includes 4.9 million people over the age of 65 and between 200,000 and 500,000 people under age 65 with early onset Alzheimer?s disease and other dementias. This is a 10 percent increase from the previous prevalence nationwide estimate of 4.5 million.
The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer?s is increasing age, and with 78 million baby boomers beginning to turn 60 last year, it is estimated that someone in America develops Alzheimer?s every 72 seconds; by mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer?s every 33 seconds.
These new estimates, as well as other data concerning the disease and its effects, are issued today as hundreds of advocates from across the country gather in the nation?s capitol for the Alzheimer?s Association?s annual Public Policy Forum.
The report titled, 2007 Alzheimer?s Disease Facts and Figures, is being released at a hearing today chaired by Senator Barbara Mikulski. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Christopher Bond and Representatives Edward Markey and Christopher Smith have introduced bipartisan legislation to address problems identified in the Association?s report.
The Association?s report details the escalation of Alzheimer?s disease which now is the seventh leading cause of death in the country and the fifth leading cause of death for those over age 65. It also offers numerous statistics that convey the burden that Alzheimer?s imposes on individuals, families, state and federal governments, businesses, and the nation?s health care system.
For example:
Without a cure or effective treatments to delay the onset or progression of the Alzheimer?s, the prevalence could soar to 7.7 million people with the disease by 2030, which is more than the population of 140 of the 236 United Nations countries.
By mid-century, the number of people with Alzheimer?s is expected to grow to as many as 16 million, more than the current total population of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston combined.
As the prevalence impact of Alzheimer?s grows, so does the cost to the nation. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer?s and other dementias amount to more than $148 billion annually, which is more than the annual sales of any retailer in the world excluding Wal-Mart.
?Alzheimer?s Disease Facts and Figures clearly shows the tremendous impact this disease is having on the nation; and with the projected growth of the disease, the collective impact on individuals, families, Medicare, Medicaid, and businesses will be even greater,? says Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer?s Association. ?However there is hope. There are currently nine drugs in Phase III clinical trials for Alzheimer?s several of which show great promise to slow or stop the progression of the disease. This, combined with advancements in diagnostic tools, has the potential to change the landscape of Alzheimer?s.?