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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A report says Utah ranks second nationwide in Alzheimer's disease incidence.
The 2009 Alzheimer's Association Disease Facts and Futures report says 30,000 Utahns have the disease.
According to the report, the ranking is likely due to the fact Utahns live longer.
The ranking is consistent with projections that the Intermountain West will see the nation's greatest increase in Alzheimer's patients during the next decade.
Those 65 and older have a one in eight chance of developing the disease, while those who live to 85 have a 47 percent chance of getting it.
Nick Zullo of the Alzheimer's Association of Utah says most Utahns who develop the disease tend to stay in the state.
There are more than 90,000 family caregivers statewide.
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Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
