A ‘hot spot’ of Alzheimer’s has been found in a state of America. What does this reveal?

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source

The United States faces a serious crisis in caring for the growing number of Alzheimer’s patients — and the challenge is likely to be even greater for people in rural areas.

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 7 million Americans, a number expected to double by 2060 as the U.S. population continues to age.

New ResearchThe study, presented by the Society for Risk Analysis, looked at a handful of rural Maryland counties and found that Alzheimer’s deaths in those communities were sometimes three to four times higher than in urban areas, but the number of actual diagnoses was lower.

The society said it appeared that Alzheimer’s cases were going unreported due to a shortage of doctors and hospitals in some “hot spots”.

Other reports have revealed similar patterns across the US linked to shortages of doctors and hospitals in rural areas. 1st November Study, Researchers at the University of Rochester found that there has been a large decline in the number of family physicians practicing in rural areas, falling by 11 percent between 2017 and 2023.

A music therapist leads a drum group for Alzheimer's disease patients in Maryland in October 2009. Alzheimer's patients are less served in rural communities, a new analysis finds

A music therapist leads a drum group for Alzheimer’s disease patients in Maryland in October 2009. Alzheimer’s patients are less served in rural communities, a new analysis finds ,AFP via Getty Images,

The Northeast was the most affected region, according to the researchers, who noted that overall, fewer medical students are choosing family medicine as a specialty.

A report for 2023 Government Accountability Office More than 100 rural hospitals closed from 2013 to 2020, forcing residents to travel about 20 miles away for routine health care services and up to 40 miles away for less routine services.

ALSO READ  Lionel Messi gets big award after leading Inter Miami to MLS Cup glory

“As a result, patients in rural areas, many of whom are over the age of 80, often face the additional burden of having to travel long distances to access the care they need,” the Society for Risk Analysis said in a statement. statement,

Anne Arundel County Fire Department firefighters and paramedics load a patient into an ambulance in Glen Burnie, Maryland, in January 2022. Some patients in rural communities have to travel more than 40 miles for care

Anne Arundel County Fire Department firefighters and paramedics load a patient into an ambulance in Glen Burnie, Maryland, in January 2022. Some patients in rural communities have to travel more than 40 miles for care ,AFP via Getty Images,

The group analyzed health care options for more than 400,000 Alzheimer’s patients in nearly two dozen counties in Maryland.

The society’s analysis found “hot spot” areas where Alzheimer’s patients are suffering from a lack of medical care in eight counties, including Garrett, Allegany, Kent, Calvert, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, St. Mary’s and Charles.

But the researchers noted that these so-called “hot spots” would be replicated across the country.

“The rural-urban disparities we found here, where urban centers have better access and rural areas are left behind, are in line with national trends,” the society said. Independent,

Uk