What does this research mean for the field?

American Indian and Alaska Native Medicare beneficiaries have a higher prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) compared to White beneficiaries, with risk factors such as traumatic brain injury, alcohol use disorder, and sensory impairments showing stronger associations with ADRD in the AI/AN population. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Medicare beneficiaries and associated health conditions.

April 21, 2026Alzheimer s & Dementia

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and related health conditions among American Indian and Alaska Native Medicare beneficiaries

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To examine the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Medicare beneficiaries and associated health conditions.
Analyzed Medicare data from 2019 for 112,280 AI/AN and 1,010,862 White beneficiaries aged 68 and older.
Investigated the prevalence of ADRD-related health conditions using logistic regression analysis.
Compared associations of risk factors between AI/AN and White beneficiaries.
AI/AN beneficiaries had a higher age-adjusted ADRD prevalence of 15.6% compared to 13.3% in White beneficiaries.
Higher prevalence of five out of nine Lancet risk factors among AI/AN: diabetes, alcohol use disorder, tobacco use disorder, and visual and hearing impairments.
Stronger associations with ADRD were found for traumatic brain injury, alcohol use disorder, and sensory impairments in AI/AN, while depression, diabetes, and hypertension had stronger links in Whites.

Discussion

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Implication

Analysis reveals higher Alzheimer's disease prevalence in AI/AN Medicare beneficiaries, suggesting significant health disparities.

Cite This Study

Yang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69e713fdcb99343efc98d5c4 https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.71385

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Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and related health conditions among American Indian and Alaska Native Medicare beneficiaries

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and related health conditions among American Indian and Alaska Native Medicare beneficiaries

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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