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U.S. Dementia Cases to Reach 1 Million Annually by 2060, Tripling Among Black Americans

Jan 13, 2025, 08:06 PM

A new study published in the journal Nature Medicine projects that the number of new dementia cases in the U.S. will double by 2060, rising from about 514,000 annually in 2020 to approximately 1 million each year. The research indicates that the lifetime risk of developing dementia after age 55 is approximately 42%, with a 4 in 10 chance for individuals. Women face a higher risk of 48% compared to 35% for men. The study also highlights a disproportionate impact on Black Americans, with a 44% risk compared to 41% for white Americans, predicting that their dementia cases will triple by 2060. This increase in dementia prevalence is attributed to the aging population and underscores the urgent need for policies to support healthy aging and manage risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes.