Definition
The rate of death from Alzheimer's disease (ICD-10 code G30) per 100,000 persons.Numerator
Number of deaths due to Alzheimer's disease (ICD-10 code G30).Denominator
Total number of persons in the population of Utah or U.S. for a given time period.Why Is This Important?
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in older adults and is the6th leading cause of death in the United States and the 4th leading cause in Utah. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease that impacts the part of the brain that controls memory, thought, behavior, and language. The causes of the disease are not well understood and there is currently no cure. Symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time, eventually becoming severe enough that carrying out daily activities is difficult. An estimated 6 million Americans currently have the disease. Alzheimer's also has serious financial implications with estimated direct costs of the disease totaling $355 billion in 2014.^1,2^[[br]]
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1. CDC - Healthy Brain Initiative: Alzheimer's Disease - Aging. Available at: [http://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm].[[br]]
2. Alzheimer's Association, 2021 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Volume 10, Issue 2. Available at: [https://www.alz.org/facts].Healthy People Objective: Increase the proportion of adults aged 65 years and older with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, or their caregiver, who are aware of the diagnosis
U.S. Target: 38.3 percent
Other Objectives
Related to the following Healthy People 2020 Objectives:
*{{style color:#003366 DIA-1:}} Increase the proportion of adults aged 65 years and older with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, or their caregiver, who are aware of the diagnosis.[[br]]'''U.S. Target:''' 38.3 percent[[br]]
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*{{style color:#003366 DIA-2:}} Reduce the proportion of preventable hospitalizations in adults aged 65 years and older with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.[[br]] '''U.S. Target:''' 22.8 percentHow Are We Doing?
In 2021, 980 people in Utah died of Alzheimer's Disease, a crude rate of 30.6 deaths per 100,000 population. The age-adjusted rate was 42.84 deaths per 100,000 population. The age-specific death rate rises from 4.27 deaths per 100,000 adults aged 55-64 to 659.23 deaths per 100,000 adults aged 75+. Because Alzheimer's is a disease of older people and Utah has a lower percentage of its population in the older age groups, it is important to use age-adjusted rates when comparing to the U.S. as a whole, and to other states.How Do We Compare With the U.S.?
In 2019, Utah's age-adjusted annual mortality rate due to Alzheimer's (30.6 per 100,000) was lower than the U.S. age-adjusted rate (37 per 100,000). The rate in Utah has been lower than the U.S. rate as a whole since 2005.What Is Being Done?
A Coordinating Council with representatives from other state and local government agencies, business and community partners, and patients and caregivers will use a unified approach to 1) mobilize the resources needed to raise broad public awareness of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, 2) coordinate resources and support for caregivers, 3) advocate and improve the competency of the dementia care workforce, and 4) collaborate with Department of Health programs that address prevention and managing lifestyle behaviors and conditions related to Alzheimer's and dementia.Evidence-based Practices
Dementia Dialogues- A basic practical training course leading to a Dementia Dialogues Specialist Certificate for both formal and informal caregivers[[br]]
Dealing with Dementia: A detailed workbook designed to help caregivers. Participation in the Dealing with Dementia workshop is proven to increase dementia knowledge and confidence in the caregiver's ability to provide care.
Dementia Friends Utah- Part of a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia.Health Program Information
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias public awareness program [https://agewell.health.utah.gov]
Free resources for individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer's disease are available from the Alzheimer's Association toll-free 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or by visiting [http://alz.org/utah].
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, 1-800-438-4380, [https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers]
