Letter to the editor: Pa. needs plan for dementia treatment

At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2023, researchers released the first-ever county-level prevalence estimates, finding east and southeastern U.S. states have the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia. In Allegheny County, the Alzheimer’s dementia prevalence estimate is 11.9% among residents age 65 or older.

The research comes following the release of Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027, by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Road Map provides public health officials throughout the nation with a set of strategies to promote brain health and improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Alzheimer’s prevalence estimates can help public health officials determine the burden on the health care system and better understand areas of high risk and need. It is critical that we continue to implement a dementia public health infrastructure across the commonwealth.

Sara Murphy

South Side

The writer is vice president for programs and services for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter.