Is Alzheimer’s Increasing in African-Americans?

According to an article in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Fall 2006 newsletter, the occurrence of Alzheimer’s may be likely to increase in African-Americans more rapidly than in the non-Hispanic white population.  Also, on their web site, www.alz.org, there is discussion about this under “The Silent Epidemic.”

Some of the risk factors considered in this conclusion: increasing age of more African-Americans (by 2030, the number over 65 and older is expected to double), tendency toward heart disease, higher levels of blood pressure and cholesterol and incidence of diabetes. 

Suggestions for everyone include learning more about Alzheimer’s, early detection, and early intervention.