Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis in Minnesota. The impact of Alzheimer’s is projected to rise, and the most recent data show:

• 102,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Minnesota.
• 8.9% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
• 164,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in Minnesota.
• 225 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer’s caregivers.
• $5.2 billion is the value of the unpaid care.
• $1 billion is the cost of Alzheimer’s to the state Medicaid program.

These numbers show that a public health approach is necessary to lessen the burden and enhance the quality of life for those living with cognitive impairment and their families.

Learn more about Minnesota: Alzheimer’s Statistics (PDF), Cognitive Decline (PDF), Dementia Caregiving (PDF), Risk Factors (PDF), County-Level Alzheimer's Prevalence (PDF)

Tribes in your state

Use the HBI Road Map for American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples to start conversations with tribal leaders on public health actions that can be taken to support brain health and caregivers. Find tribal leaders and federally recognized tribes in your state: Tribal Leaders Directory.

Public health spotlight

In Minnesota, the Department of Health educated community health workers on the oral health needs of people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias by developing a curriculum and partnering with institutions that train these workers.

The Minnesota Department of Health partnered with local officials to ensure emergency preparedness plans at assisted living facilities adequately support the needs to people living with dementia in an emergency.

The Department of Health analyzed NORCs — naturally-occurring retirement communities — to identify high risk populations. Fact sheets with population data, resource mapping and community partners were developed to help guide and inform the local response.

In September 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health received an enhanced Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Program Award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

State plan overview

In 2009 the Minnesota Legislature charged the Minnesota Board on Aging to establish the Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group (ADWG) and make recommendations for policies and programs that would prepare Minnesota for the future (2009 Session Law). This body included health care providers, family caregivers, researchers, representatives from state and local health and human services agencies, and Minnesotans living with the disease. The Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group gathered expert research and background information and solicited input from the general public. Preparing Minnesota for Alzheimer’s: the Budgetary, Social and Personal Impacts was published in January 2011 and presented to the Minnesota Legislature. In 2017, the Legislature called for a review and revision of this report; the Alzheimer's Disease Working Group, Legislative Report was published in January 2019.

Resources for action

State and local public health agencies around the country are taking action against Alzheimer’s by implementing the Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023–2027. Public health practitioners can learn by example and find resources to help guide their response below.