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

• 27,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in New Hampshire.
• 6.9% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
• 48,000 family caregivers bear the burden of the disease in New Hampshire.
• 77 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer's caregivers.
• $1.5 billion is the value of the unpaid care.
• $335 million 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 New Hampshire: 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.

State plan overview

In March 2014, New Hampshire's legislature established a Subcommittee on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia through passage of HB 1572-FN. The Subcommittee includes representatives from care provider organizations, state agency officials, law enforcement officials, state legislators, caregivers, and other individuals impacted by Alzheimer's. New Hampshire Alzheimer's Disease & Related Dementias Sub-Committee Recommendations was published in 2013 and updated in 2015.

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.