The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new study in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias Among Adults Aged ≥45 Years — 31 States and the District of Columbia, 2019.
The report looked at the status of eight potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia among adults 45 years and older. These included:
- high blood pressure
- not meeting aerobic physical activity guideline
- obesity
- diabetes
- depression
- current cigarette smoking
- hearing loss
- binge drinking
Key findings:
- The most common modifiable risk factors for dementia were high blood pressure and not meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline
- American Indian and Alaska Native populations had the highest prevalence of 3 risk factors: hearing loss, cigarette smoking, not enough physical activity
- African American, then American Indian or Alaska Native populations had the highest prevalence of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes
- American Indian or Alaska Native people were second only to people who identify as multi-racial in the prevalence of reported depression
- Adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), an early indicator of possible future dementia, were more likely to report having 4 or more modifiable risk factors than those without SCD
- Implementing evidence-based strategies that address modifiable risk factors can help achieve the National Plan’s new goal to reduce risk of ADRD while promoting healthy aging
FIGURE. Proportion of adults aged ≥45 years with total number of risk factors,* by subjective cognitive decline status† — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States,§ 2019
In 2021, the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease introduced a new goal to “accelerate action to promote healthy aging and reduce risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias” to help delay onset or slow the progression of ADRD.
For more information visit www.cdc/gov/aging
