Increased confusion and memory loss in households, 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Using data from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we examined households in 13 states (N = 81,012) in which the respondent or another adult household member experienced increased confusion or memory loss (ICML) in the preceding 12 months. A total of 12.6% of households reported at least 1 adult who experienced ICML, and in 5.4% of households all adults experienced ICML. Based on these results, an estimated 4 million households in these 13 states have a member with ICML, potentially affecting more than 10 million people. This study can inform public health communication campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of cognitive decline and augment community planning efforts so that the needs of households in which 1 or more adults has cognitive decline are considered.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop F78, Atlanta, GA 30341. Email: ftm4@cdc.gov.
Angela J
AJ
Deokar
VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.
Erin D
ED
Bouldin
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Valerie J
VJ
Edwards
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Lynda A
LA
Anderson
D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States