The number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States has exceeded 7 million for the first time, according to the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report released Tuesday by the Alzheimer’s Association. As the prevalence grows, the vast majority of Americans say they want to know early if they are at risk and are open to treatment—even if it involves some risk—in the hope of slowing the disease.
A national survey conducted alongside the report found that 79% of Americans aged 45 and older would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s before symptoms began to interfere with their lives. Ninety-one percent said they would be willing to take a simple test, such as a blood biomarker, if it were available. Most cited early access to care and treatment as the primary motivation.
Following a diagnosis, 92% of respondents said they would likely take a medication to slow disease progression, and 58% would accept moderate to high levels of risk to do so. In addition, 83% said they would consider participating in a clinical trial, and 81% believe effective treatments to halt the disease will be available within the next decade.
Still, significant concerns remain. Forty-four percent of respondents worry about insurance coverage for care after diagnosis, and 41% expressed concern over test accuracy. Others raised fears about testing costs and the impact a diagnosis might have on personal freedoms, like driving.
Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, senior director at the Alzheimer’s Association, emphasized the need for accessible, accurate, and affordable early testing: “Our findings show that people want to take action before Alzheimer’s disrupts their lives. That means expanding access to simple diagnostics and providing clear guidance around treatment.”
The report estimates 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older now live with Alzheimer’s. The total annual cost of care for Alzheimer’s and other dementias (excluding unpaid caregiving) is expected to reach $384 billion this year. Family members and friends provide an estimated 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at $413 billion.
The Alzheimer’s Association is urging policymakers to support expanded insurance coverage for testing and treatment, improve clinician-patient communication, and fund research into early-stage diagnostics. The report also outlines anticipated guidelines for the use of blood-based biomarkers and cognitive assessments by 2025, and best practices for treatment staging by 2026.
The full report, along with the companion survey American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment, is available at alz.org/facts.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
