Understanding Lifetime Risk and the Rising Burden of Dementia: Josef Coresh, MD, PhD

Recent research has highlighted the importance of understanding the lifetime risk of dementia for public health planning and prevention efforts. Using data from a long-term, community-based cohort of over 15,000 participants (Black, 26.9%; women, 55.1%; at least one APOE ε4 allele, 30.8%), researchers in a new study estimated the risk of developing dementia between patients aged between 55 and 95, accounting for mortality as a competing factor. Published in Nature Medicine, authors noted that the overall lifetime risk was 42%, with higher rates observed in women, Black adults, and APOE ε4 carriers, where risks ranged from 45% to 60%.^1,2

Applying these findings to U.S. Census projections, the study predicted a rise in annual dementia cases from approximately 514,000 in 2020 to 1 million in 2060, with Black adults experiencing the most significant growth. Researchers noted that these results underscored the need for targeted policies that promote healthy aging and address health inequities to mitigate the rising burden of dementia in the aging population. These projections were further explored in a recent interview with NeurologyLive^®, where senior author Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, emphasized the critical need for healthcare systems to adapt to this increasing burden of dementia.

During the conversation, Coresh, the founding director of the Optimal Aging Institute at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of integrating care across providers, families, and communities to ensure comprehensive support for patients. He also underscored the urgency of addressing disparities in dementia risk, particularly among racial and genetic subgroups, through targeted public health initiatives. Additionally, Coresh noted that the findings from the current study offer valuable insights that could inform global dementia prevention policies, especially as the aging population continues to expand worldwide.