Texas has a problem that’s bigger than most people realize, and September – Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month – is the perfect time to face it head-on. The numbers are staggering: Texas ranks 3rd in the nation for total Alzheimer’s cases and 2nd for Alzheimer’s-related deaths. But here’s the thing – emerging research and proven prevention strategies give us real reasons for hope.
The Texas Reality Check
The statistics paint a sobering picture of what our state is facing:
Statewide Impact: About 11.9% of Texas seniors (around 459,300 individuals) are living with Alzheimer’s, ranking us 11th nationally for prevalence rate among people 65 and older.
Regional Hotspots: South Texas border counties are getting hit especially hard. Starr County leads with approximately 20% of seniors affected – more than double the national average. Hidalgo, Willacy, and Cameron counties aren’t far behind, with rates between 14.6% and 14.8%.
Urban Centers: Even major metropolitan areas like El Paso and Webb County (Laredo) show 15% prevalence rates, tying for some of the highest in the nation.
These aren’t just numbers – they represent hundreds of thousands of Texas families dealing with caregiving burdens, mounting healthcare costs, and heartbreaking challenges.
Breakthrough Research Brings New Hope
Just as Texas grapples with this crisis, promising research is emerging that could change everything. A recent study of 149 people with mild Alzheimer’s disease found that taking sodium benzoate daily for 24 weeks was linked to better thinking skills and lower levels of abnormal proteins in the blood—one of the disease’s hallmarks.
Sodium benzoate is a common food preservative found in sodas and thousands of other everyday products. The idea that an inexpensive household chemical could help combat the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death is exactly the kind of breakthrough Texas families need.
Your Prevention Game Plan Starts Now
While researchers work on treatments, there are proven healthy actions you can take for your brain that can lower the risk of cognitive decline. Exercise helps improve brain function by increasing blood and oxygen flow to your brain, and making healthy food choices, getting regular exercise, stopping smoking, and checking glucose levels can help manage blood sugar – all critical factors in brain health.
The Brain-Healthy Basics:
- Stay Active: Regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain
- Eat Smart: Higher than normal levels of blood sugar can increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia
- Exercise Your Mind: Mental stimulation and lifelong learning protect cognitive function
- Stay Social: Strong social connections support brain health
- Control Health Numbers: Manage blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol
A major study of more than 2,100 people ages 60 to 79 found that an intensive two-year program of mental and physical activities, along with a heart-healthy diet, improved memory and thinking.
September Action Steps for Texas Families
This Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Texas families can take concrete action:
Wear Purple: Purple is the color representing World Alzheimer’s Month. Show support by wearing purple to spark the conversation and bring awareness to the millions affected.
Get Checked: It’s important to monitor yourself and your loved ones for any signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which can precede Alzheimer’s. Getting checked by your health care provider can help with early detection.
Start Prevention Now: Brain damage begins a decade or more before symptoms start to show, making prevention efforts crucial at any age.
Why South Texas Needs Extra Attention
The border counties showing the highest rates face unique challenges: aging populations, limited healthcare access, and socioeconomic barriers. These communities need targeted resources, better healthcare infrastructure, and culturally appropriate prevention programs.
Hope for Texas Families
Yes, Texas faces a significant Alzheimer’s challenge. But we’re also living in a time of unprecedented research breakthroughs and growing understanding of prevention strategies. From sodium benzoate studies to lifestyle interventions that actually improve memory and thinking, science is giving us tools to fight back.
This September, as we observe Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, Texas families have more reason for hope than ever before. The key is taking action now – whether that’s adopting brain-healthy habits, supporting affected families, or simply wearing purple to start important conversations.
The Lone Star State may face big challenges, but we’ve always been known for finding big solutions. This fight against Alzheimer’s will be no different.
