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

  • 220,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in Ohio.
  • 9.1% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
  • 493,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Ohio.
  • 736 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer's caregivers.
  • $13.4 billion is the value of the unpaid care.
  • $2.5 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 Ohio: 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
In Ohio, the Summit County Public Health Department published a brief on Alzheimer's and other dementias within the county including mortality data and risk profiles for the county's population.

Read the full brief and case study for more information.

The Ohio Department of Health serves as Vice-Chair of the state plan task force designed to create a state-specific plan to address Alzheimer's.

State plan overview

In Ohio, the Alzheimer's and Dementia State Task Force is working to help families and those living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. The goal of the Task Force is to focus on key areas that impact both public and private change for people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia and their families. In 2022, the Task Force plans to publish the final report and roadmap to improve outcomes for those living with the disease and the people that take care of them.

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.  
 
Ohio Implementation
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No known public health action at this time.

 
Ohio Resources
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Risk Factors + Risk Reduction

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

Caregivers + BRFSS

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Dementia Caregiving in Ohio
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Caregiving in Ohio
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Caregiving in Ohio (2018)

BRFSS + Cognitive Decline

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Ohio (2020)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Ohio (2019)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Subjective Cognitive Decline in Ohio (2019)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Ohio (2015)
Alzheimer's Association Infographic: Cognitive Decline in Ohio (2015)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Cognitive Decline in Ohio (2012)

BRFSS + Caregivers

Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Dementia Caregiving in Ohio (2019)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Caregiving in Ohio (2019)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Caregiving in Ohio (2018) (2018)
Alzheimer's Association Fact Sheet: Dementia Caregiving in Ohio (2016)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infographic: Caregiving in Ohio (2016)

Care and Advance Planning

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