Younger Onset of Alzheimer's Is Rising; Start Care in 40s

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study of 28 million Medicare recipients estimated that African-Americans have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's and related dementias among people ages 65 and older, reports the Chicago Sun-Times . The next highest prevalence for Alzheimer's and related dementias is among Latinos, non-Hispanic whites, Native Americans and Alaska natives, and Asian and Pacific Islanders. In addition, African-Americans and Latinos are less likely than whites to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia. This is valuable as researchers can now identify people at risk and are developing what therapies and treatments to stop the disease from worsening as people age. Experts recommend people start preventive measures in their 40s, including exercising vigorously, staying socially connected, and consuming a Mediterranean diet. The CDC says the population of Americans forecast to have Alzheimer's or dementia is expected to double to nearly 3.3 percent by 2060, mostly because of aging baby boomers.