Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Minnesota, and the impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise. A comprehensive public health approach is essential to improve community health, support the well-being of those living with cognitive decline and their families, and reduce the risk of dementia throughout communities. The most recent data show:

Fact sheets on Alzheimer's and dementia in Minnesota

View and download state-specific fact sheets for the latest data on each topic:

Learn more about how these data are collected in the annual Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Public health progress in Minnesota

State, local, territorial and tribal health departments are key partners in implementing a robust public health response to dementia. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is improving brain health throughout the state.

MDH has supported community partners in increasing awareness of dementia risk factors, recognizing signs and symptoms, increasing cognitive screening, and supporting the health and well-being of dementia caregivers through funding and technical assistance.

These partnerships not only expand the reach of existing dementia efforts; they also activate local communities to address dementia in community-centered and innovative ways. Examples include sharing accurate information through a faith-based Spanish magazine, reducing stigma through theatrical events and community conversations, educating about brain health and dementia through cultural events in Tribal and Urban American Indian communities, and empowering hair stylists at beauty salons and barbershops to be a dementia-friendly resource in the African American community.

Grantees reached over 2,200 individuals with information related to brain health and services for people living with dementia and caregivers. Community members also helped shape grant proposal processes to reflect local needs.

Case study: Engaging Community Health Workers Around the Importance of Brain Health at Every Age

The Minnesota Department of Health partnered with the Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance to develop comprehensive training for community health workers (CHWs) on dementia risk reduction, early detection, caregiver support and brain health. CHWs contributed to the creation and review of the training materials. Read more about Minnesota in the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map (PDF).

Working across the levels of prevention

Across the levels of prevention, the Minnesota Department of Health implements public health programs and interventions to address Alzheimer's through:

• Risk reduction: Developed population-level indicators for a dementia dashboard, which included measures related to risk reduction across the entire population, highlighting a need to focus on risk reduction strategies. Supported Healthy Brain Community Grantees to build messaging and relationships to reach new communities with information and resources about dementia risk reduction by providing funding and technical assistance.
• Early detection and diagnosis: Supported Minnesota Healthy Brain Partnership members working to build integrated models for dementia risk reduction and early detection in community settings, which will facilitate linkages to clinical partners for diagnosis.
• Safety and quality of care: Partnered with the University of Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) through the integration of materials and processes related to dementia screening and safety of quality of care into workflows. Efforts include joint tabling/presentations and applications for new funding to expand the work.
• Dementia caregiving: Worked to expand use of caregiver data through boosting awareness of data and caregiver health needs in many ways, including: pairing data with community success stories; co-facilitating learning sessions for addressing caregiving in public health; and supporting other chronic disease programs to incorporate caregiver health into their programmatic work. A key example from the MDH Cardiovascular Health Program is the report Caregivers in Minnesota Experience Higher Cardiovascular Disease (PDF).

Developing public health infrastructure and expanding capacity

Public health programs are critical to helping people stay cognitively healthy throughout life. The Minnesota Department of Health is developing infrastructure and expanding capacity through these programs:

• BOLD Program
• Risk Reduction Learning Collaboratives

Resources for public health professionals

Tools from the Alzheimer's Association provide public health strategies that public health professionals can use to improve brain health and support caregivers and people living with dementia in your community.

Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map

This guidebook provides state and local public health agencies with 24 actions to act quickly and strategically to effect positive changes in policies, systems and environments.

HBI Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples

Find 13 public health strategies to help American Indian and Alaska Native communities improve brain health, address dementia and support caregivers.

Public Health Curriculum

This curriculum is designed for public health students, educators and professionals.

Risk Reduction

Public health can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's across the lifespan by promoting being physically active, quitting smoking, and being heart-healthy.
 

Early Detection & Diagnosis

Public health professionals can educate the community and health care providers on the benefits of early detection and help reduce barriers to diagnosis.

Caregiver Support

Public health can raise awareness of caregiver needs and help develop support and resources.