New Alzheimer’s Association report reveals Americans value brain health but lack guidance

Americans say brain health is as important as physical health as they age, yet most do not know how to protect it, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report and a nationwide survey released today by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The annual report provides an in-depth look at the latest national and state-by-state data on Alzheimer’s prevalence, mortality, dementia care workforce, costs of care and impact on caregivers. The new report estimates that 7.4 million people age 65 and older in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 121,300 in Indiana.

This year the cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia is projected to reach $409 billion, a $25 billion increase from a year ago. This does not include unpaid care provided by family caregivers and friends. Last year in Indiana there were 221,000 family caregivers, providing 329 million hours of unpaid care valued at nearly $6.6 billion.

“The latest data show Alzheimer’s remains a growing challenge for families in Indiana,” said Natalie Sutton, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Indiana Chapter. “That’s why it’s critical to keep advancing research and developing treatments that can improve outcomes and support everyone facing the disease, including people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in Indiana and their families.”

Brain health in America
Understanding & supporting lifelong cognitive health

An accompanying special report, Brain Health in America: Understanding and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health, highlights survey findings from more than 3,800 adults age 40 and older. Nearly all respondents said brain health is at least as important as physical health, yet only 9 percent said they know a lot about how to maintain it. More than two-thirds reported worrying about their brain health or developing dementia.

While most adults believe healthy lifestyle behaviors support brain health, fewer make the connection to reducing dementia risk. Three-quarters said behaviors such as diet, exercise and sleep are important for brain health, but less than half strongly linked those habits to lowering their risk of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.

The survey also found strong interest in brain health programs, particularly in midlife, but barriers remain. Nearly three-quarters said they would participate in brain health programs, preferring flexible, low-cost options. Most adults said they want guidance from their health care provider, yet few reported having those conversations.

“The survey makes clear that Americans care deeply about brain health, but many want more clarity about what steps to take,” Sutton said. “There’s a real opportunity to strengthen awareness and empower people with straightforward guidance that fits into everyday life.”

To address the needs identified in the survey, the Alzheimer’s Association is working with partners to deliver research-backed information and programs to help people support their brain health across community, workplace, and health care settings. These efforts are informed by the landmark U.S. POINTER study, which found that combining multiple healthy habits can protect cognition function.

The full 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report is available at alz.org/facts and will be published in the April 2026 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.