State and detailed county-level estimates show vast disparities in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease based on racial and socioeconomic factors. Older Americans, women, Black and Hispanic Americans, and those with lower education levels are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer's dementia, according to data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, on which these estimates were based.

The East and Southeast regions of the U.S. were estimated to have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's, particularly Maryland, New York, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In Maryland, nearly 30% of residents are Black, and a slightly higher share of the population is 85+ years old compared to national numbers—substantial risk factors that earn it the #1 spot. In addition to a high prevalence of the disease, Mississippi has the highest Alzheimer's mortality rate, largely due to having the worst-quality health care system in the country, Time reported.

Some of the most afflicted counties are home to Black and Hispanic populations in the South, low-income populations in Appalachia, and older adults in Florida, according to Time. Other studies have found that people in rural areas tend to be underdiagnosed or diagnosed in later stages of dementia, delaying or preventing potential treatments.

Alzheimer's Association volunteers have been using the data to advocate for public policy priorities with elected officials, the association's senior director of government affairs in New York, Bill Gustafson, told Stacker via email.

Advocates in New York recently utilized the state and county data to advocate for more resources for the Alzheimer's Community Assistance Program and the Special Needs Assisted Living Voucher Demonstration Program for Persons with Dementia. The state of New York budgets $26 million annually for services for Alzheimer's patients and announced new funding in September 2023 to focus on high-risk, rural, and historically underserved communities.

"This data is a tool to help the Alzheimer's Association demonstrate the public health crisis the disease poses for the state and, with that knowledge, urge our elected officials to support dementia-specific policy to address said crisis," Gustafson said.

Beyond medicine, doctors and researchers are evolving patient care for those with Alzheimer's, as well. One French facility creates autonomy for patients in a village-like setting, aiming to create normalcy, improve life quality, and reduce stress and depression. As treatments progress, the U.S. federal government is testing a new payment program for dementia care providers, aiming to delay nursing home stays.

Between advancing medicines, treatments, and databases, as well as shortages of caregivers and medical professionals in the field, change is on the horizon for Alzheimer's care in the U.S. and beyond.

This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 3,100 counties.