According to the latest death rate statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s disease deaths have increased 33 percent from 2000 to 2004.  As of the year 2007, there is a reported 5 million people in the United States living with the illness. Since the previous nationwide estimate of 4.5 million, there has been a 10 percent increase.

Alzheimer’s disease affects 4.9 million people over the age of 65. Because age is tremendous risk factor, the 78 million baby boomers that recently celebrated their 60^th birthday are at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s in the near future. According to the report, someone in the United States develops the illness every 72 seconds. More than 6 in 10 states (62%) will have double digit growth in disease prevalence by the end of the decade. By 2030, the disease’s prevalence could reach 7.7 million people if a cure is not found or effective treatments are not utilized.  The number could be as many as 16 million by 2050 with someone developing Alzheimer’s every 33 seconds.

The direct and indirect expenses related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias total more than $148 billion annually.  Medicare currently spends about three times as much for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias than for the average person on Medicare. Costs are projected to double from $91 billion in 2005 to more than $189 billion by 2015.  State and federal Medicaid spending for nursing home and home care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in 2005 was estimated at $21 billion and is projected to increase to $27 billion by 2015.

It is important for us to act now and join the fight against Alzheimer's.  Please visit www.alz.org for more information on the new facts or visit www.ActionALZ.org to find out how you can take action today.