With the number of people living with Alzheimer’s estimated to nearly triple by 2050 — reaching up to 14 million1 — it is necessary to monitor the health and needs of this growing population. Surveillance is a fundamental and essential public health tool for understanding the prevalence, scope, and burden of Alzheimer’s, other dementias, cognitive issues, and dementia caregiving. One specific data collection method that public health can utilize is the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an annual health behavior survey administered in every state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. Issue-Map-data-evidence-508.pdf

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection