Arkansas

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Arkansas. Without an effective treatment or cure, the impact of Alzheimer’s will continue to rise and the numbers in Arkansas are escalating.
The most recent data show:

• 58,000 people aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s in Arkansas.
• 16.2% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
• 178,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Arkansas.
• 203 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers.
• $2.7 billion is the value of the unpaid care.
• $396 million is the cost of Alzheimer’s to the state Medicaid program.

These numbers show that a public health approach is necessary to lessen the burden and enhance the quality of life for those living with cognitive impairment and their families.

Learn more about Arkansas: Alzheimer’s Statistics, Cognitive Decline, Dementia Caregiving 

Public health spotlight

In Arkansas, the Local Health Units within the Department of Health will distribute early detection and diagnosis awareness materials to all adults receiving a flu vaccination at a flu clinic in fall 2018.

State plan overview

In 2009, the Task Force on the Effect of Alzheimer’s Disease in Arkansas was established via House Bill 1014 to bring together caregivers, public health officials, patient advocates, and community leaders to tackle a range of Alzheimer’s issues. After collecting public feedback to inform the plan’s recommendations, the Task Force published The Task Force on the Effect of Alzheimer’s Disease in Arkansas Final Report in 2011.

Resources for action 

State and local public health agencies around the country are taking action against Alzheimer’s by implementing the Healthy Brain Initiative State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map. Public health practitioners can learn by example and find resources to help guide their response below.