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New Data Shows Death Rates From Alzheimer's Disease Skyrocketing

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 November 2006, 15:00 CST

Today, the Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health announced new data showing the rate of death from Alzheimer's disease growing at a dramatic pace. New data shows that from 1994 to 2003, death rates from diseases such as breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, stroke and lung cancer were down in Los Angeles County, while the death rate from Alzheimer's disease jumped 220 percent -- putting it in the top 10 causes of death in the County for the first time.

The data from the Mortality in Los Angeles County 2003 report shows Alzheimer's disease has climbed to the eighth leading cause of death for Los Angles County residents, between colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Between 1994 and 2003, the race-specific age-adjusted death rates from Alzheimer's increased among all populations in Los Angeles County -- 233 percent among Whites, 200 percent among Hispanics, 138 percent among Blacks and 100 percent among Asian/Pacific Islanders.

"With the enormous size of the Baby Boomer generation, which is getting older and living longer, the impact of Alzheimer's disease is escalating at a dramatic rate and is only going to get worse," said Peter Braun, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles. "It is also clear that many more people suffer from Alzheimer's than we know, since the cause of death is often listed as pneumonia or another illness that accompanies Alzheimer's. We need to realize that unless something changes, the toll on society brought on by the epidemic of Alzheimer's disease will be profound and devastating."

Alzheimer's disease can strike individuals as early as their 30s and 40s, but the vast majority of cases strike those more than 65 years of age. With the large Baby Boomer generation and an aging immigrant Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander population, the amount of people over age 65 is expected to grow geometrically over the next 20 years and cause a dramatic increase in the number of those suffering from Alzheimer's. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer's approximately doubles every five years after age 60. By age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent.

"It is critical to recognize that Alzheimer's disease is NOT a rare disease and that it is NOT part of the normal aging process," said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, director and health officer, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. "It is a tragic, progressive and ultimately fatal brain disease. If an individual has no other serious illness, the loss of brain function can lead to death."

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that effects more than just memory loss. It gradually destroys a person's ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities.

"For too long, Alzheimer's disease has been viewed by many as a benign memory loss associated with getting older and is often the object of humor," said Braun. "I guarantee you that for the millions of Alzheimer's patients and caregivers out there, there is nothing remotely funny about the devastation caused by this disease. We need to change how we talk about it and address this growing health crisis."

The average lifetime cost to care for an individual with Alzheimer's is $174,000. More than seven out of 10 people with Alzheimer's live at home, where family and friends provide almost 75 percent of their care. The remainder is paid care costing an average of $19,000 per year. Almost all families pay this out-of-pocket.

"For families caring for an Alzheimer's patient, the emotional toll is dramatic and the financial impact is draining," said Dr. Debra Cherry, associate executive director of the Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles. "Alzheimer's disease needs to stop being treated like a family secret. We need to start having an honest and public discussion about this impending epidemic and seriously dealing with it with more research money, public advocacy and assistance for families."

The financial burden of Alzheimer's affects businesses and taxpayers as well. The disease costs American businesses $61 billion a year, according to a report commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association. Of that figure, $24.6 billion covers Alzheimer's health care and $36.5 billion covers costs related to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's, including lost productivity, absenteeism and worker replacement.

Medicare costs for beneficiaries with Alzheimer's are expected to increase 75 percent, from $91 billion in 2005 to $160 billion in 2010; Medicaid expenditures on residential dementia care will increase 14 percent, from $21 billion in 2005 to $24 billion in 2010, according to a report commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association. By 2030, more than $400 billion in Medicare will be expended on Alzheimer's -- nearly Medicare's total current budget.

The Alzheimer's Association is the premier source of information and support for the four million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. Through its national network of chapters, it offers a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families and caregivers, and represents their interests on Alzheimer-related issues before federal, state and local government and with health and long-term care providers. The local chapter serves Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The largest private funding source of Alzheimer's research, the Alzheimer's Association has committed nearly $120 million toward research into the causes, treatment, prevention and cure of Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alzla.org or call the Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Source: Business Wire

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