U.S.: Alzheimer's Disease Mortality Rate, by year
YearDeaths per 100000 population
202136.0
202040.7
201937.0
201837.3
201737.3
201635.9
201534.4
201429.3
201326.8
201226.6
201127.3
201027.0
200925.8
200827.1
200724.8
200624.3
200524.2
200422.5
200321.9
200220.5
200118.9
200017.6
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: 2000 to 2021
  • Published: Mar 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Apr 2, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Trend of Increase in Death Rates Due to Alzheimer's Disease

Death rates due to Alzheimer's Disease in the U.S. have shown a significant upward trend from 17.6 deaths per 100,000 population in 2000 to 36.0 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021. The increase represents more than a doubling of the death rate over 21 years, highlighting a growing public health concern.

Peak and Subsequent Decline in Recent Years

The peak death rate occurred in 2020 with 40.7 deaths per 100,000 population, possibly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was a noticeable decrease to 36.0 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021, indicating a recent decline in the death rate.

Steady Increase Over Decades Before Sudden Rise

Between 2000 and 2014, death rates increased at a more gradual pace, from 17.6 to 29.3 deaths per 100,000 population. However, the years following 2014 saw a sharper increase, with rates reaching 40.7 deaths per 100,000 population by 2020, demonstrating a significant acceleration in the rise of death rates.

Comparison of Early 2000s to Recent Years

Comparing the early 2000s to recent years, the death rate due to Alzheimer's Disease was nearly twice as high in 2020 (40.7 deaths per 100,000 population) as it was in 2001 (18.9 deaths per 100,000 population). This stark contrast underscores the escalating impact of Alzheimer's Disease on mortality in the U.S. over the past two decades.

Rate of Increase Across Selected Periods

The period from 2000 to 2010 saw an increase of approximately 9.4 deaths per 100,000 population, while the decade from 2010 to 2020 experienced a larger rise of around 13.7 deaths per 100,000 population. This indicates that the rate of increase in death rates accelerated in the latter decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the peak mortality rate occur and what was it?

The peak death rate occurred in 2020 with 40.7 deaths per 100,000 population, but it declined to 36.0 deaths per 100,000 population in 2021.

Terms and Definitions

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurological disorder characterized by a loss in memory and cognitive abilities. This disease typically affects the elderly population and progressively worsens over time, impacting daily life and leading to severe disability. It is the most common cause of dementia.

Mortality rate, is the measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time. It is typically given as the number of deaths per 1,000 individuals per year.

Mortality statistics are quantitative data that record the number of deaths within a population over a certain time frame. These stats can be analyzed in relation to other factors like age, cause of death, and geographical location to understand more about the health and well-being of a population.

Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur within a specific population during a defined period, often a year. This does not include existing cases of the disease, only new diagnoses.

Prevalence is a statistic that refers to the total number of cases of a disease in a population at a given time. Unlike incidence, prevalence takes into account both new and existing cases.

Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution, patterns, and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It uses statistical methods to understand the causes and effects of health outcomes.

Health disparities refer to differences in health outcomes and their determinants between segments of the population. In the context of Alzheimer's disease, disparities might exist between different demographic groups in terms of incidence, prevalence, and death rates.
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Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out simple tasks, representing a significant public health challenge worldwide. Read more »