The Fight Against Alzheimer's Starts with Us

The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2025 Facts and Figures report confirms what many of us have feared: the crisis is growing. An estimated 7.2 million Americans are now living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia — an increase of 300,000 in just one year. Meanwhile, nearly 12 million unpaid caregivers are navigating the emotional, physical, and financial toll of providing support, up half a million from last year. Without a breakthrough, these numbers are expected to nearly double by 2060.

Amid this growing burden, research pipelines are under strain. Funding disruptions threaten progress toward treatments or cures, and their full impact remains to be seen. But even as we wait for scientific advances, we cannot afford to wait passively.

Because prevention is possible.

According to the Lancet Commission, up to half of dementias worldwide could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors. The word “modifiable” is key—these are factors we can influence through the choices we make every day. Regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, meaningful social connection, managing blood pressure and diabetes, treating hearing loss, challenging our brains—none of this is radical, but together, they’re profoundly powerful.

The challenge lies not in knowing what to do, but in implementing it—consistently, comprehensively, and early enough to make a difference. Single interventions help, but multidomain strategies—integrating physical, mental, and social health—are the gold standard for protecting our cognitive futures.

Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis. But prevention is personal. If nearly half of all cases can be avoided, then the call to action is clear: it starts with us.