Healthy People 2030_S ODonoghue

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Oct 30, 2023

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Healthy People 2030 Impact Paper: Dementias Sarah O'Donoghue Chamberlain University Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Principles Dr. Mundy 03/18/2023 Dementia is on the rise in the United States creating significant burden on our healthcare system as well as our communities. Dementia is

characterized by a loss of cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of Dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020) While mortality rates for many other diseases are going down, the opposite is true for Alzheimer’s. With no cure for Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in site, mortality rates are on the rise, and the implications are far reaching. “ Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America, with costs exceeding a quarter of a trillion dollars annually.” (CDC, 2020) Health People 2030 has included Dementia as a major public health concern and has identified three major objectives related to screening, early detection, and treatment. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and the fifth leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older. (CDC, 2020) In the state of New Jersey, there are more than 190,000 people living with a diagnosis of Dementia, there are 6,929 people on hospice with a primary diagnosis of Dementia and it was the 6 th leading cause of death in 2015. (Alzheimer’s Association, 2018) Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease that can last decades and ultimately ends in death. The care of people with Alzheimer’s disease is involved and expensive. Not only are hospitals and healthcare facilities overwhelmed with the care of these patients, but many family members will also assume the burden of this care with little to no help. “Caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are two and a half times more likely than caregivers for people with other conditions to help with emotional or mental challenges and nearly four times as likely to

assist with behavioral issues.” (CDC 2020) People with dementia are also likely to have multiple comorbidities, making their care more complicated, they are also far more likely to be hospitalized. “People with other chronic conditions in addition to dementia are significantly more likely to have a preventable hospitalization.” (Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.) Descriptive epidemiology requires that we look at person, place, and time, racial and biological risk factors are a part of that. According to Health People 2030, Dementia is most likely to effect people over the age of 65 and women are at slightly higher risk of having dementia. (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.) “African Americans are about two times more likely than white Americans to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias.” while “Hispanics are about one and one-half times more likely than Alzheimer’s Association, n.d.) Research about incidence and prevalence over time shows that “Nearly six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia and by 2050, this number is projected to reach nearly 14 million.” (CDC, 2020) Health People 2030 has identified three major problems in the care of patients with Dementia, and ways to improve those areas. The first issue is that many people with Dementia go undiagnosed, and when they are found to have Dementia, it is not disclosed to them. “ Quality care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias starts with an early, documented diagnosis, including disclosure of the diagnosis.” and among those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia, only 33% know they have the disease. (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017) Early diagnosis can allow the person to take

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