Studies show women are much more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease than their male counterparts.
A woman’s estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s at age 65 is 1 in 6, which almost doubles a man’s 1 in 11 chance.
According to a report published by the Alzheimer’s Association, women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than breast cancer.
To establish the connection between women and Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association partnered with Maria Shriver and The Shriver Report in 2010. The data they collected was recently published in The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s, which also includes essays and reflections that give personal perspectives to the poll’s numbers.
Unlike previous research, their report revealed not only Alzheimer’s devastating impact on individual lives, but also its particular effects on women; those living with the disease but also their caregivers, relatives, friends, and loved ones.
Maria Shriver is the founder of The Shriver Report, a nonprofit media initiative for advocacy.
3.2 million women are at the epicenter of the epidemic, and they represent the majority of both individuals with the disease and Alzheimer’s caregivers.
Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures examines the impact of this unbalanced burden.
“Well-deserved investments in breast cancer and other leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke and HIV/AIDS have resulted in substantial decreases in death. Comparable investments are now needed to realize the same success with Alzheimer’s in preventing and treating the disease,” said Angela Geiger, chief strategy officer of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Alzheimer’s Association acknowledges the impact Alzheimer’s has on women, but also the impact women have when they work together. Launching a national initiative this spring, they aim to highlight the power of women in the fight against this disease.
To join the movement, visit www.alz.org/mybrain.