Dementia Cases in the U.S. Expected to Double by 2060, Hitting 1 Million a Year

Mar. 15, 2025

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Americans have a 42% risk of developing the cognitive disorder after age 55, according to the study published inNature.Women also face an increased risk of developing dementia because they live longer.

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For the study, researchers looked at three decades worth of data from 15,000 people in Maryland, Mississippi, Minnesota and North Carolina; 27% of the participants were Black, and their data led researchers to conclude that Black people carry a higher lifetime risk of dementia — and may develop the cognitive disease earlier.

For Black Americans, the expected number of dementia cases is expected to triple. Coresh told theNYTthat an increase in life expectancy for Black Americans is partially driving the elevated dementia numbers, which can also be attributed to structural racism that inhibits health care. He also added that “vascular risk factors are more common” for Black Americans.

Study authors emphasized prevention over treatment, pointing out that “half of dementia risk is preventable,” Coresh told the outlet, citing established risk factors likediabetes,high blood pressureandhearing loss.“It is never too early or too late to address dementia risk,” he said.

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“These results highlight the urgent need for policies that enhance healthy aging,” the study says, “with a focus on health equity.”

source: people.com