North Dakota

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

• 14,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in North Dakota.
• 8.1% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
• 19,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in North Dakota.
• 25 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers.
• $465 million is the value of the unpaid care.
• $215 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 North Dakota: 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

In North Dakota, the Custer Health Unit brought public health nurses together to learn about dementia as a public health issue and about cognitive screening assessments.

State plan overview

In 2007, the North Dakota Legislature approved House Concurrent Resolution No. 3022 to study the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease within the state. The Dementia-Related Services - Background Memorandum was presented to the state’s Long-Term Care Committee.

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.