Alzheimer's Disease Mortality as a Function of Urbanization Level: 1999-2019

Abstract

This study investigated Alzheimer's disease (AD) mortality trends by urbanization level and geographical location in the U.S. The CDC's WONDER database was used to investigate AD mortality from 1999-2019 stratified by urbanization level, census division, race, and sex. Data showed that while AD mortality increased across the U.S., rural areas, particularly in the South, had higher mortality compared to urban counterparts. AD mortality was higher among the female and White population. Data suggested that the urban-rural discrepancy is widening over time. Identifying health disparities underlying the urban-rural discrepancy in AD mortality is critical for allocating social and public health resources.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; census; healthcare disparities; mortality; race; rural health; sex; urban health; urbanization.