Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Michigan. The impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise, and the most recent data show:

  • 203,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Michigan.
  • 9.5% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
  • 380,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Michigan.
  • 872 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers.
  • $17 billion is the value of the unpaid care.
  • $1.7 billion 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 Michigan: Alzheimer’s Statistics (PDF), Cognitive Decline (PDF), Dementia Caregiving (PDF), Risk Factors (PDF), County-Level Alzheimer's Prevalence (PDF)

Tribes in your state

Use the HBI Road Map for Indian Country to start conversations with tribal leaders on public health actions that can be taken to support brain health and caregivers. Find tribal leaders and federally recognized tribes in your state: Tribal Leaders Directory.

Public health spotlight

Explore public health action against Alzheimer’s

Learn more about areas essential to addressing Alzheimer's from a public health perspective.

See Public Health Topics
The Michigan Cancer Consortium — a public-private coalition designed to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through a public health approach — published an article highlighting the connection between smoking and brain health.

Read the full newsletter.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is developing an educational outreach and awareness program on dementia for people living with HIV. The campaign will communicate risks of cognitive impairment among those with HIV and educate health care professionals about the connection between dementia and HIV.

State plan overview

The Michigan Dementia Coalition — a collaborative group of community agencies, universities, dementia caregivers, and state government programs concerned about dementia and related conditions — helmed the development of the 2019-2022 Roadmap for Creating a Dementia Capable Michigan, published in April 2019. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services supports implementation of the plan in collaboration with the Michigan Dementia Coalition. Previously, the Michigan Dementia Plan Update: 2009-2011 was published in January 2009.

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 Road Map for Public Health, 2023–2027. Public health practitioners can learn by example and find resources to help guide their response below.  

Michigan Implementation
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Issue:

No known public health action at this time.

 
Michigan Resources
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Risk Factors + Risk Reduction

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Michigan

Caregivers + BRFSS

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Dementia Caregiving in Michigan

BRFSS + Cognitive Decline

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2022)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2021)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2020)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2019)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2019)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2018) (2017)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2015)
Alzheimer's Association Infographic: Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2015)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2013)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2011)

BRFSS + Caregivers

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Dementia Caregiving in Michigan (2021)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Dementia Caregiving in Michigan (2017)

Care and Advance Planning

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Michigan
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Michigan (2018)