In an article published in the May 3, 2006 edition of the Journal of American Medicine, researchers from University College London in the UK and RAND Corporation in the US reported that "US residents are much less healthy than their English counterparts," regardless of income levels. Their study looked at illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancer.
But what about rates of Alzheimer's and dementia? What if Dad had been born in Great Britain instead of New Britain, Connecticut? Had dinner in London instead of New London? Visited York instead of New York? Would he have been as likely to develop dementia? As likely to die of a hemorrhagic stroke? More likely to be hiking with us this summer?
I decided to compare the rates of Alzheimer's and dementia in the US and the UK. Neither the Alzheimer's Association nor Alzheimer's Disease International could point me to any direct comparison of rates. Instead, I developed some crude estimates based on published figures:
*Prevalence of Alzheimer's, 65 years and older, UK: 4.2% *Prevalence of Alzheimer's, 65 years and older, US: 10% *Prevalence of dementia, 65 years and older, UK: 7.7% *Prevalence of dementia, 65 years and older, US: 14% to 17% Based on these estimates, it appears that Alzheimer's and dementia rates are about twice as high in the US as in the UK. The data is inadequate - at least some of the higher rates in the US could be due to differences in study methods or diagnostic tests. But the higher rates in the US could also be due to genetics, environment or diet, and could provide clues about the causes of or treatments for these diseases. For example, several studies have shown a strong association between heart disease and Alzheimer's or dementia. Following that logic, then maybe reducing heart disease would reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer's and dementia. In general, if researchers can accurately compare prevalence rates, then any differences in those rates could point to possible prevention strategies based on associated differences in environment or diet. It's hard to say whether these numbers apply to my father's situation. I hope they can be used to improve the odds for others.
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