The number of people with dementia in the United States is expected to double by 2060, with an estimated 1 million people diagnosed each year, according to a new study led by Johns Hopkins University and other institutions.
Researchers found that Americans have a 42% risk of developing dementia after age 55, which is twice the risk identified in previous studies, the press release states. There is.
The lifetime risk for people who reach age 75 is more than 50%, the study found.
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Women face an average risk of 48% and men 35%, a difference thought to be due to women living longer than men.
The number of people with dementia in the United States is expected to double by 2060, with an estimated 1 million people diagnosed each year. (St. Petersburg)
The study, published Jan. 13 in the journal Nature Medicine, was part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in the Community Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS), which has tracked the cognitive and vascular health of nearly 16,000 adults since 1987. ) was analyzed.
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“Our findings predict that the burden of dementia in the United States will increase dramatically in the coming decades, affecting one in two Americans,” said study principal investigator and epidemiologist Joseph Koresh, MD. “It is expected that people will experience cognitive impairment after the age of 55.” He is the founding director of the Institute for Optimal Aging at New York University Langone, the release said.
Understand risk factors
“One of the main reasons for the increase is that great advances in medicine and technology are extending our lifespans, and aging is a risk factor for dementia,” said Fox, a professor of clinical medicine at New York University Langone Health. – said Dr. Mark Siegel, Senior Medical Analyst at The News. he told FOX News Digital.
“Obesity is associated with inflammation, diabetes, and hypertension, all of which are independent risk factors for dementia.”
In addition to aging, other risk factors include genetics, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, an unhealthy diet of ultra-processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle, and mental health disorders, according to the release. .
“More than 45% of adults in the United States are obese, making obesity an epidemic,” Siegel said. “Obesity is associated with inflammation, diabetes, and hypertension, all of which are independent risk factors for dementia.”
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“And as an unhealthy population, heart disease is on the rise, and atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for cognitive decline,” he added.
Researchers have found that people with mutations in the APOE4 gene, which are associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, have an increased risk of developing dementia. Black adults are also at increased risk.


Researchers found that Americans have a 42% risk of developing dementia after age 55, twice the risk identified in previous studies. (St. Petersburg)
Studies have shown that the same interventions used to prevent heart disease risk may prevent or slow the progression of dementia.
“The rapidly growing population of people with dementia poses a particularly significant challenge to health policy makers. We must refocus on strategies that minimize patient severity,” Koresh said. .
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What needs to change?
Dr. Adrian Owen, a neuroscientist and chief scientific officer at Crayos, a Canadian-based company specializing in cognitive assessment and brain health, called the rise in dementia cases a “tsunami.”
“This new study predicts a sharp increase in dementia cases, highlighting the urgent need for early and accurate detection,” he told Fox News Digital.
“By identifying problems early, we empower people to adjust their lifestyles, explore available treatments and plan for the future with clarity.”
“Identifying cognitive decline at an early stage provides an opportunity to intervene before patients and families take on the burden of disease.”
Owen recommends having regular cognitive assessments performed as part of your regular health exam to proactively identify early signs of cognitive decline.
“By identifying problems early, we empower people to adjust their lifestyles, seek available treatments and plan for the future with clarity,” he said.


“Identifying cognitive decline at an early stage provides an opportunity to intervene before patients and families take on the burden of disease.” (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Maria C. Carrillo, chief scientific officer and medical affairs director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Chicago, said there is an “urgent need” to address the global crisis of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. .
To help keep your aging brain healthy, the Alzheimer’s Association has released a report, “10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain.” Here are some tips:
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
– Participate in regular physical activity.
– Learn new things and exercise your mind throughout your life.
– Get proper nutrition — Prioritize vegetables and lean meats/proteins, along with less processed and lean foods.
– Avoid head injuries (protect your head).
– Have a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, manage your blood pressure, avoid diabetes and treat diabetes if you have it, manage your weight, and don’t smoke.


Research shows that the same interventions used to prevent heart disease risk may prevent or delay dementia. (St. Petersburg)
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Fox News Digital has reached out to researchers for additional comment.