Report: More than 5 million Americans now have Alzheimer's

According to a report just released by the Alzheimer's Association:

• As many as 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s.

• 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's in their lifetime.

• Every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.

• Alzheimer's is the seventh-leading cause of death.

• The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.

Also of note, from 2000 to 2005, the number of people who died from heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and stroke all dropped while the rate for Alzheimer's exploded over 44%. (Source CDC). Considering mortality:

One 2004 study noted that people newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s survived about half as long as those of similar age who did not have the disease. In this study, average survival time was four to six years after diagnosis, but survival can be as long as 20 years from the first symptoms (although these early symptoms may be fairly subtle and not immediately recognized). Alzheimer’s disease is among the top 10 leading causes of death for people of all ages, and is No. 5 for those aged 65 and older.

There are many things you can do to reduce your risk profile. Please click here for all of LifeTwo's information on brain health.

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