MHA Press Room

Baby boomers at risk for Alzheimer's

A report released last week by the Alzheimer's Association, 2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, estimates 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's in the United States, according to a Business Wire press release.

Statistically, that means one out of every eight baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's. In the U.S., as many as 5.2 million individuals currently live with the disease.

Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and the fifth leading cause of death for those over 65. Recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that from 2000-2005 death rates declined for major diseases, such as heart disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, while the amount of deaths due to Alzheimer's continue to increase.

Report projects 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s

An estimated 10 million baby boomers can expect to develop Alzheimer’s disease after age 55, according to a report released March 18 by the Alzheimer’s Association. The report, which presents the latest U.S. data on the disease, estimates one in six women and one in 10 men 55 and older will develop Alzheimer’s.

The estimates are based on the Framingham Heart Study, which identified patients who developed Alzheimer’s or other dementias in their lifetime. The report estimates 5.2 million Americans now live with Alzheimer’s, the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

Survey examines alcohol, substance abuse by region

A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides estimated alcohol and substance abuse rates by state treatment planning area. According to the report, from the 2002-2004 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, Albany and Carbon counties, WY, have the highest rate of alcohol abuse or dependence in the nation (13.5%), while southern Utah and north central Florida have the lowest rate (5.4%). For more information, see the SAMHSA news release.

[ via AHA News Now ]