New Harris Ballot knowledge launched by HealthyWomen on the AANP Nationwide Convention reveals 91% of ladies agree that cognitive screening ought to be as routine as a mammogram or ldl cholesterol check.
RED BANK, N.J., June 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Girls in midlife are able to take motion on the subject of their cognitive well being. A brand new nationwide survey performed by The Harris Ballot on behalf of HealthyWomen discovered that 90% of ladies ages 45 to 64 can be open to a easy blood check to assist diagnose Alzheimer’s illness early. The survey reveals a putting disconnect: Whereas most ladies are open to early testing, solely 9% say their suppliers have talked to them about cognitive well being, and solely 13% are literally conversant in out there FDA-cleared blood assessments, even though girls are extra doubtless than males to develop the illness.
The findings, offered final week on the American Affiliation for Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Nationwide Convention, level to rising curiosity in early detection at a time when new assessments are making an early Alzheimer’s prognosis extra accessible than ever.
“For too lengthy, conversations about Alzheimer’s have been formed by stigma and worry,” mentioned Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen. “This survey tells us that ladies are prepared and in want of a distinct dialog with their suppliers. They need to be made conscious of dangers and perceive early detection to make knowledgeable choices about their mind well being.”
The findings underscore each urgency and alternative. Of the ladies surveyed, 1 in 3 (33%) report a household historical past of Alzheimer’s or dementia, and 1 in 4 (26%) say they’ve already observed modifications of their reminiscence or considering. But consciousness of danger and out there screening choices stay low:
- Solely 50% of ladies really feel educated about their private danger of Alzheimer’s
- Two in 3 have no idea that ladies are extra doubtless than males to develop Alzheimer’s
- Only one in 10 are conversant in FDA-cleared blood biomarker assessments that may assist rule out or help an Alzheimer’s prognosis
Supplier engagement is a transparent lever: 90% of ladies say a supplier advice would make them extra more likely to pursue testing. Consciousness of therapy choices issues too: 2 in 3 girls say they might be extra more likely to pursue blood biomarker testing in the event that they knew life-style modifications and medicines existed that might gradual Alzheimer’s development.
Sources to help these conversations exist already. For instance, AANP’s Cognitive Well being Level-of-Care software and the AAFP Cognitive Care Equipment give suppliers a sensible place to begin. These instruments assist suppliers assess cognitive danger, foster brain-healthy habits, and information sufferers and households by way of early recognition.
For extra data, go to https://www.healthywomen.org/alzheimers-early-testing-survey
Survey Methodology
The Cognitive Well being Screening Survey was performed on-line in america by The Harris Ballot on behalf of HealthyWomen amongst 2,000 girls ages 45 to 64 who haven’t been identified with a cognitive impairment. The survey was performed Could 7–19, 2026. Knowledge are weighted by age, race/ethnicity, area, training, marital standing, family measurement, employment, family earnings and smoking standing to replicate precise inhabitants proportions. The sampling precision is correct to inside ±2.5 proportion factors at a 95% confidence stage.
About HealthyWomen
HealthyWomen is the nation’s main unbiased, nonprofit well being data supply for girls. HealthyWomen.org was the primary web site to comprehensively handle girls’s well being and wellness points and continues to coach girls to make knowledgeable well being choices by offering goal, fact-based data. For practically 40 years, girls have turned to HealthyWomen for solutions to their most vital healthcare questions. To be taught extra, please go to www.HealthyWomen.org. Comply with HealthyWomen on Fb, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SOURCE HealthyWomen
