Per 2022 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington State’s leading causes of death were cancer, heart disease, and accidents. In fourth place was Alzheimer’s disease.
This contrasts with national data, in which Alzheimer’s disease ranked as the sixth highest cause of death. Heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases came in higher (via CDC).
The Alzheimer’s Association explains that Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of all cases. Dementia is an umbrella term for a loss of memory and cognitive function that is severe enough to interfere with day-to-day living. Most people with Alzheimer’s are aged 65 and older. The disease is believed to be caused by the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.
It is unclear why Alzheimer’s disease deaths are more common in Washington than in the rest of the United States. However, public health experts have offered their thoughts about what might explain this perplexing phenomenon.
Why there might be more Alzheimer’s disease deaths in Washington
One postulated cause for the relatively higher death rate was the state’s cloudy weather. Exposure to sunlight helps trigger vitamin D production in the skin, and low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. It has also been speculated that perhaps Washington is simply better at collecting and verifying health data when compared to other states. Additionally, there could have been differences in how Washington’s doctors and coroners were recognizing and coding Alzheimer’s deaths (per PBS).
It should be noted that the Alzheimer’s disease death rate in Washington actually ranked even higher in the past. In fact, in 2016, it was reported to be the third leading cause of death in the state, triggering public health officials to create a roadmap for addressing the problem. This document has since been revised and renewed with plans to continue until at least 2028.
Alzheimer’s disease prevention and treatment
While the reasons for Washington’s higher Alzheimer’s disease death rate are not known, the CDC explains that there are several things you can do to decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. They note that getting adequate exercise (this is how many steps you need to take a day to reduce your risk of dementia), avoiding or minimizing smoking and alcohol use, and preventing or controlling diabetes and high blood pressure can all help lower your risk.
Another tip they offer is to treat hearing loss, for example, by getting cochlear implants, which could reduce your chances of developing dementia. Scientists believe that hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia because it forces the brain to work harder, diverting resources away from functions like memory and cognition. Hearing loss also makes it harder for people to interact with others or keep their brains active, which can put them at greater risk.
While Alzheimer’s disease can’t be cured, certain medications can help slow its progression. There are also medications that help with memory and thinking, as well as symptoms such as sleep problems, agitation, and hallucinations/delusions.
