Every 70 seconds, somebody in the U.S. is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.

That number will  grow to one new case every 33 seconds by 2050 if nothing is done to reverse current trends, according to a new report by the Alzheimer's Association.

Advancing age remains the primary risk factor, but here are some other factors noted in the report: 

* Women are more likely than men to wind up with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

* People with fewer years of education seem to be at higher risk for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia than those with more education.

*African-Americans ages 71 and older are nearly two times more likely than whites in the same age group to have Alzheimer's or another dementia.

*High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and stroke are known risk factors for Alzheimer's, and people who have more than one of those conditions are at even greater risk.

*Some researchers believe treating diabetes and high blood pressure, especially if treatment is begun at mid-life, could reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer's and other dementias.

*There is growing evidence to suggest the health of the brain is closely linked to the overall health of the heart and blood vessels. Managing cardiovascular risk factors (such as high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity) may help avoid or delay cognitive decline.

Find the report at http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_figures.asp?type=homepage.                

The massive health care reform bill passed by Congress stands to offer some benefits to Americans with Alzheimer's (currently numbered at 5.3 million) and their families, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

One provision would create a national voluntary insurance program called CLASS ACT that would provide services to help keep people with Alzheimer's independent in their homes and communities as long as possible and address long-term case issues.  Benefits could help pay for transportation, respite care and home care aides.

Some other provisions are aimed at improving care coordinaton for people with Alzheimer's and providing insurance assistance for people with younger-onset Alzheimer's under age 65.

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