ATLANTA (March 7, 2014) | Today, Sen. Renee Unterman (R –Buford) presented an American Academy of Neurology (AAN) study on Alzheimer’s mortality rates to the Georgia Senate.
“New research has found that mortality rates among those with Alzheimer’s disease are much higher than originally projected,” said Sen. Unterman. “This is an alarming trend as Georgia’s aging population continues to grow and require specialized services and care.”
According to the study, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for many more deaths than previously reported, making it nearly as lethal as the nation’s two biggest killers – heart disease and cancer. The study found that annual death rates from Alzheimer’s are actually close to half a million, instead of the current government-derived number of 85,000.
The AAN study also discovered that chronic under reporting of Alzheimer’s mortality rates is due to death certificates only recording the immediate cause of death, completely missing the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s affects the parts of the brain that control the unconscious functions such as breathing, swallowing and heart rate. Eventually, Alzheimer’s disease leads to complications like pneumonia or the inability to swallow as the brain forgets how to perform everyday functions.
“Through the efforts of the recently established Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Task Force and Georgia’s health care community, we have already begun the process of evaluating Alzheimer’s current and future impact on the state,” said Sen. Unterman. “This study only further confirms the need to continue our efforts and will help government make better health care policy solutions moving forward,” said Sen. Unterman.
The American Academy Neurology study will be released to the public on March 24, 2014.
For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2014
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
shawna.mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028