Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias Among Adults Aged ≥45 Years — United States, 2019
John D. Omura, Lisa C. McGuire, Roshni Patel, Matthew Baumgart, Raza Lamb, Eva M. Jeffers, Benjamin Olivari, Janet B. Croft, Craig W. Thomas, Karen Hacker
Abstract
Alzheimer disease,* the most common cause of dementia, affects an estimated 6.5 million persons aged 65 years in the United States (1). A growing body of evidence has identified potential modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) (1-3). In 2021, the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease (National Plan) introduced a new goal to "accelerate action to promote healthy aging and reduce risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias" to help delay onset or slow the progression of ADRD (3). To assess the status of eight potential modifiable risk factors (i.e., high blood pressure, not meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline, obesity, diabetes, depression, current cigarette smoking, hearing loss, and binge drinking), investigators analyzed data from the cognitive decline module that was administered to adults aged 45 years in 31 states and the District of Columbia (DC) in the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Among the risk factors, prevalence was highest for high blood pressure (49.9%) and lowest for binge drinking (10.3%) and varied by selected demographic characteristics. Adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), an early indicator of possible future ADRD (4), were more likely to report four or more risk factors than were those without SCD (34.3% versus 13.1%). Prevalence of SCD was 11.3% overall and increased from 3.9% among adults with no risk factors to 25.0% among those with four or more risk factors. Implementing evidencebased strategies to address modifiable risk factors can help achieve the National Plan's new goal to reduce risk for ADRD while promoting health aging. , ** BRFSS is a cross-sectional, random-digit-dialed, annual telephone survey of noninstitutionalized U.S. adults aged 18 years. BRFSS is administered by state and territorial health departments, and responses are weighted to produce data representative of each * Although the term "Alzheimer's disease" is frequently used, this report uses "Alzheimer disease" in accordance with the American Medical Association Manual of Style 11th Edition and MMWR style.