The Number of Millennials with Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Is Surging, Report Finds

An Independence Blue Cross study found that the number of Americans being diagnosed with early-onset dementia and Alzheimer's disease at younger ages is spiking, reports Philly Voice . Such diagnoses rose 83 percent between 2013 and 2017 among commercially insured Americans 30 to 44 years old, including the oldest millennials. Generally, early-onset diagnoses grew 200 percent among commercially insured Americans between 30 to 64, including a 50 percent jump among those 45 to 54 and 40 percent for those 55 to 64. "Those who develop dementia or Alzheimer's at an early age will likely require caregiving, either from family members or healthcare providers," said Independence Blue Cross Chief Medical Officer Richard Snyder. "The time, cost, and impact on families can be significant and can require additional support as these diseases progress." The East, South, and Midwestern regions of the United States had higher diagnosis rates, with women constituting 58 percent of the diagnoses.