OAKLAND – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Alameda County Department of Public Health hosted an awareness event on May 8, 2024 with leading clinical and public health experts along with community leaders to discuss Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) disparities that exist in Alameda County.
The event at the California Endowment’s Center for Health Communities Oakland expanded on public health strategies to address these disparities, promote risk reduction and early detection, and support people living with ADRD and their caregivers.
“California’s projections indicate that by 2040, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s will more than triple for Californians who identify as Latino/x and nearly triple for those who identify as Black/African American,” said Dr. Johnson, Take on ALZ spokesperson and Professor in Neurology at the UC Davis School of Medicine. “By educating Californians about the prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease, we can build understanding around the relevant risk factors, reduce the negative impacts of stigma and work towards the goal of helping individuals improve their brain health.”
Data released from CDPH in 2024 identifies Alzheimer’s disease as the second leading cause of death in California. The number of California residents living with ADRD is expected to double by 2040. The event provided information on available resources and services in Alameda County, actions on how one can take to protect themselves and their loved ones. For information, visit TakeOnAlz.com.
The primary risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age, and California is home to more adults aged 65 and older than any other state. While the majority of older adults will never experience dementia, 11% of the nation’s Alzheimer’s cases reside in California and that number is projected to double between 2019 and 2040, highlighting the need for awareness, education, and preparation. Declining rates of dementia, and emerging treatments, provide hope.
Women are especially impacted by the disease, making up nearly two-thirds of diagnosed Americans. Other disproportionately impacted groups include older Black Americans, who are two times more likely to develop the disease, and Latinos, who are one-and-a-half times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than white older adults. California is one of the most diverse states in the nation, with six counties ranking in the top 20 most racially and ethnically diverse counties in the nation, further emphasizing the need for continued ADRD prevention efforts.
To learn more and to understand ways to reduce risk, support others, and take charge of brain health, visit TakeonALZ.com.
