Death rate due to Alzheimer's Disease in the U.S. 2000-2021

In 2021, the mortality rate due to Alzheimer's disease was 36 deaths per 100,000 people. This statistic displays the annual Alzheimer's disease mortality rate in the United States from 2000 to 2021. Scientists believe that early detection of Alzheimer's can be the best way to prevent or slow the course of the disease. 

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and incurable brain disease, is among the top ten leading causes of death in the U.S. as well as worldwide. Furthermore, over the past two decades, the number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the United States increased by over 140 percent. As with other dementias, Alzheimer’s commonly affects older individuals, although it can be diagnosed earlier on in life. In the United States, the majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease are over 75 years of age. Initial symptoms include difficulties in memory and mood changes, but the disease gradually progresses to impair communication and judgment, behavioral changes, and deficits in movement and motor skills, such as difficulties with swallowing, which often becomes a contributing cause of death.

Care and treatment

The cost of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase over the next couple of decades, with costs to Medicare and Medicaid expected to reach 644 billion U.S. dollars by 2050. Due to the increasing burden of Alzheimer’s and other dementias on healthcare and social systems, research into treatment and prevention is a major focus. Several major pharmaceutical companies currently have multiple drugs for Alzheimer’s treatment in various stages of development; other research is focused on identifying early brain changes associated with the disease in order to provide early diagnosis and intervention. Furthermore, personal health strategies include reducing modifiable risk factors commonly associated with cardiovascular health, such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying socially, mentally, and physically active.