Dementia Cases in the U.S. Projected to Double by 2060, Study Finds

New research reveals a 42% lifetime risk of dementia after age 55, with women and Black Americans facing heightened vulnerability.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, estimates annual dementia cases in the U.S. will rise from 500,000 in 2025 to 1 million by 2060.
Americans over 55 face a 42% lifetime risk of dementia, with women at 48% and men at 35%, largely due to differences in life expectancy.
Black Americans are at a disproportionately higher risk, with cases expected to triple by 2060, driven by structural health inequities and vascular risk factors.
Aging, genetics, and modifiable factors like diabetes, hypertension, and hearing loss are identified as major contributors to dementia risk.
Researchers emphasize prevention strategies, such as addressing health disparities, improving cardiovascular health, and expanding access to hearing aids.