Alzheimer’s disease now affects over 7 million Americans, a new report from the Alzheimer’s Association shows. The report warns the number is rising quickly and urges more focus on early detection, care, and public awareness.
The report, titled “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” revealals a rising willingness among Americans to confront the disease sooner rather than later. Nearly four in five adults surveyed said they would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s before symptoms appeared, a major shift from past attitudes marked by fear and hesitation.
Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, senior director for Community Programs and Services at the Alzheimer’s Association, told Fox News Digital that this growing openness reflects progress in technology and a changing view of what an early diagnosis means. “For a long time, it was like, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t want to find out.’ And so knowing that people can do more now is making a difference in the stigma,” she said.
Until recently, confirming a diagnosis before symptoms began involved costly and invasive procedures like PET scans and spinal taps. But a new blood test, which predicts the likelihood of Alzheimer’s developing in a person before symptoms begin, could be a turning point. It offers a simpler, more affordable option for early testing, which Edgerly believes may help shorten the long wait times many families face in getting a clear diagnosis.
At the same time, the financial and emotional toll of Alzheimer’s continues to climb. The national cost of caring for those with the disease and other forms of dementia is projected to reach $384 billion in 2025. In addition, nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for loved ones suffering from cognitive decline — a contribution valued at $413 billion annually in unpaid labor.
“It’s hard to not want to change that,” Edgerly said, noting that many caregivers have experienced the strain firsthand. She also believes that a more informed public can better manage expectations and make decisions when faced with early symptoms or risk factors. “People struggle to try to figure out: Is that normal aging, or something we should get checked out?”
Medical researchers are currently exploring more than 140 potential treatment options for Alzheimer’s. While there’s no cure, many Americans are now open to new treatments — even those that carry moderate to high risk — if they could slow the progression of the disease. Three in five survey respondents said they would be willing to take such a medication.
Although a definitive answer on prevention remains elusive, Edgerly said there are steps individuals can take to support brain health. She pointed to research supporting the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, and managing health issues like high blood pressure.
With the U.S. population continuing to age, experts say more people are recognizing the signs and seeking help earlier. “We’re also seeing that there is a higher recognition of Alzheimer’s,” Edgerly noted. “For a long time — and still — many people don’t get diagnosed. But those numbers are changing.”
The Alzheimer’s Association hopes that the increased focus on early detection, combined with public support and medical advances, will help move the disease into a new era — one marked by earlier action and greater support for those affected.