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]] [[br]] ---- 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 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
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]] [[br]] *{{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 percent

How 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.

Available Services

'''IN UTAH:''' Division of Aging and Adult Services[[br]] Utah Department of Human Services[[br]] 195 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116[[br]] PHONE: 801-538-3910[[br]] Toll Free: 1-877-424-4640[[br]] Fax: 801-538-4395[[br]] Email: agingservices@utah.gov [[br]] Website: [http://https://daas.utah.gov/services] Local Area Agencies on Aging have been designated to cover geographic regions of the state of Utah and are charged with the responsibility of providing a comprehensive array of services to, and advocating for, the needs of older adults and their caregivers residing in their areas.[[br]] [http://eldercare.acl.gov] Utah Commission on Aging statewide resources and activity calendar [http://utahaging.org] '''NATIONAL RESOURCES:''' Alzheimer's disease resources and information can be found on the following websites: Alzheimer's Association[[br]] [http://www.alz.org/][[br]] Utah Chapter[[br]] [http://www.alz.org/utah] CDC Features- Alzheimer's Disease[[br]] [http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Alzheimers/] National Institute on Aging- Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center[[br]] [http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers]

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]

Relevant Population Characteristics

Alzheimer's disease usually begins after age 60. While younger people may get Alzheimer's, it is much less common.

Health Care System Factors

In 2011, total Medicare and Medicaid spending for individuals with Alzheimer's disease is estimated at $130 billion.^3^[[br]] [[br]] ---- 3. Alzheimer's Association. Characteristics, Costs and Health Service Use for Medicare Beneficiaries with a Dementia Diagnosis: Report 1: Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. Prepared under contract by Julie Bynum, M.D., M.P.H., Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Care, Center for Health Policy Research, January 2009; as published by the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, 2011.

Risk Factors

Scientists are finding more and more evidence that some of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels of the vitamin folate may also increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Health Status Outcomes

Alzheimer's disease can seriously affect a person's ability to carry out daily activities.

Data Notes

ICD-10 code G30.   Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Notes

ICD-10 code G30.   Age-adjusted to U.S. 2020 population estimates.[[br]] *Use caution in interpreting, the estimate has a coefficient of variation >30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health standards. Prior to 2015 San Juan County was part of the Southeast Local Health District. In 2015 the San Juan County Local Health District was formed. Data reported are for all years using the current boundaries.

Data Source

Utah Death Certificate Database, Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

References and community resources

1. CDC - Healthy Brain Initiative: Alzheimer's Disease - Aging. Available at: [http://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm] 2. CDC- Fast Stats [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alzheimers.htm] 3. Alzheimer's Association, 2012 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer's & Dementia, Volume 10, Issue 2. Available at: [https://www.alz.org/facts]