“Lifelong Learning to Beat AD”: Educational Attainment and Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects people around the world, and there is no cure. Not only is AD a significant contributor to health care costs, it also has a deep emotional impact on society. There is a seemingly universal fear of AD which contributes to stigma against those who have this disease, a stigma that prevents people from seeking a medical diagnosis or help. There are modifiable risk behaviors that may delay the effects of AD for those who have the disease, one of which is educational attainment. Educational attainment appears to have an impact on an individual’s cognitive reserves, a phenomenon which becomes a significant factor in delaying the effects of AD. In this paper, I review current research on AD and educational attainment. With the research literature as a base, I then develop a public health campaign targeting younger people that stresses the importance of delaying Alzheimer’s disease by continuing educational activities throughout life.