Adria Navarro, PhD
Program Manager
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Community Resource Center for Aging

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

For the past decade USC Verdugo Hills Hospital has brought together experts in the field of brain health. The 10th Annual Brain Health Forum: Aging Brain, Genetics, and Risk Reduction convenes virtually on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Online registration can be found at: https://bit.ly/2025USCVHHBrainHealthForum. You may also contact the USC VHH Community Resource Center at (818) 949-4033 for more information.

President Ronald Reagan officially designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983, recognizing the need to raise awareness about a disease that was then affecting fewer than 2 million Americans. The purpose has been to raise awareness, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Reagan’s proclamation was a pivotal moment in public health advocacy, bringing national attention to a condition that had long been misunderstood and under-diagnosed. In a poignant twist, Reagan himself was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1994 further personalizing the cause and deepening public empathy.

What Are Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?

• Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life. It includes memory loss, confusion and difficulty with communication and reasoning.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for more than 60% of cases. It’s a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. In our country it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., with a  prevalence expected to rise dramatically as the population ages.

Why Awareness Matters

Over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia including 7.2 million Americans. The U.S. is projected to reach 13.8 million persons with dementia by 2060. We know that women make up nearly two-thirds of person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the U.S.

Raising awareness helps: 1) Encourage early diagnosis; 2) Support caregivers; 3) Promote research and funding; and 4) Reduce stigma and isolation. The month serves as a reminder that Alzheimer’s affects not just individuals but entire families and communities – and that collective action is essential. 

How You Can Help

• Wear purple in November to show support.
• Join events such as the USC Brain Health Forum.
• Share facts and stories on social media using hashtags like #AskAboutAlzheimers and #GoPurple.
• Support caregivers and others affected by listening, helping with tasks or simply being present.

Princess Muna Al Hussein, the ambassador for Alzheimer’s Disease International, emphasized the importance of community collaboration for tackling Alzheimer’s – calling on families, caregivers, governments and civil society to unite in awareness efforts. 

To discuss your own questions and/or challenges, please call or email Aging-Resources@med.usc.edu.