Alzheimer's surge across America laid bare: Interactive map reveals rise in Alzheimer's death rates

The deadly surge of Alzheimer’s disease across America in the past 20 years is revealed in a series of interactive maps.

Official figures show the number of fatal deaths rose 168 percent, jumping from about 44,000 deaths per year in 1999 to 120,000 in 2021, the latest available date.

An aging population, the emergence of sedentary lifestyles, and poor diets are all responsible for the increasing numbers.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed a rise in Alzheimer’s disease deaths over the past two decades through 2021 in every state but states.

Mississippi saw the biggest jump in its death rate, tripling from 13.3 to 52.8 deaths per 100,000 people. Only Maine saw a decline, with the rate down seven percent over the same period.

Four of the five largest states are in the South: Arkansas (up 191 percent), Alabama (up 162 percent), and Louisiana (up 140 percent).

Hawaii (154.3 percent) was the only state in the top five that was not in the South.

Southern states have historically been less affluent than their northern neighbors, and have higher rates of obesity and diabetes, which increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

In Hawaii, the rise has been blamed on a growing elderly population.

The state’s cost of living — which ranked as the least expensive for retirement last year — may also be a factor because it makes people less likely to get health insurance..

Only Maine has had a decrease in the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease over two decades, dropping nearly eight percent from 29.6 to 27.4 per 100,000 people.

It was not clear why.

But the California-based RAND Corporation has previously suggested this Higher levels of education, lower rates of smoking and better treatment for cardiovascular disease in developed countries could lead to lower rates of dementia.

There is also a possibility that it could be a reporting issue.

At the other end of the scale were New Hampshire (up just 1.3 percent in two decades), Maryland (up 4.5 percent), Massachusetts (up 7.3 percent), and Montana (up 16 percent).

Lower death rates from Alzheimer’s disease have similarly been associated with higher living standards, wealth, and healthier lifestyles in states.

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating condition that gradually robs the sufferer of his memory and personality.

Early warning signs can include parking poorly, swearing more than usual, wearing incoherent clothing, and giving away money for free.

But in later stages, sufferers may struggle forming sentences, communicating with others, or remembering recent events.

Billions have been poured into research on the condition, but doctors have yet to find drugs that can treat the disease — or even its causes.

Medics had previously suggested it was due to a buildup of tangles of protein in the brain affecting communication between brain cells.

But recent research has also indicated that damage to the blood vessels in the brain could be a factor.

Doctors say the best way to avoid Alzheimer’s disease is to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

The latest slice of CDC data for 2021 reveals that Mississippi — which has the fastest rising Alzheimer’s death rate — currently has the highest death rate in the United States. At a rate of 52.8 deaths per 100,000 people.

Among the top five are Alabama (46.8), Washington (45.5), Georgia (44.5) and Arkansas (43.2).

At the other end of the scale were mostly the wealthier northern states.

New York has the lowest Alzheimer’s death rate (13.6) in the country – less than a quarter of the rate in the hardest-hit state.

It is followed by Maryland (16.1), Massachusetts (17.7), Florida (19.6) and New Jersey (20.6).

Florida may be so low on the metrics because of its status as a “retirement mecca” for older Americans, which has boosted access to care in the state.

Separate research by the Alzheimer’s Association revealed the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease by state.

At the top of the table is California, which is also the most populous state in America and one of the top three destinations for older Americans.

Florida (580,000 people), New York (410,000), Texas (400,000) and Pennsylvania (280,000) were among the top five centers for Alzheimer’s patients.

All of these states have more seniors and a higher number of senior citizens, which may explain the higher number of Alzheimer’s patients.

At the other end of the scale were Alaska (8,500), Wyoming (10,000), Vermont (13,000), North Dakota (15,000) and South Dakota (18,000).

All of these states are also the five least populous states in the United States, which explains the low number of these states for the disease.

In terms of states projecting the fastest growth for Alzheimer’s patients, Arizona was at the top of the pack with an expected rise of 33.3 percent in five years.

This is because more older Americans are moving to the state, said Dr. Terry Spitz, executive director of the Southwest Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

I told AZCentral: “Baby Boomers are getting older. This is a critical issue. It is a public health crisis in our state.

Also on the list are Vermont (30.8 percent increase in five years), Nevada (30.6 percent increase), Wyoming (30 percent increase) and Alaska (29.4 percent increase).