New Survey Finds 90% of Midlife Girls Are Open to Early Alzheimer’s Testing, however Solely 9% Say Their Suppliers Are Bringing Up Cognitive Well being
New Harris Ballot knowledge launched by HealthyWomen on the AANP Nationwide Convention reveals 91% of girls agree that cognitive screening needs 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 in relation to their cognitive well being. A brand new nationwide survey carried out by The Harris Ballot on behalf of HealthyWomen discovered that 90% of girls 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 girls 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 accessible FDA-cleared blood checks, although ladies are extra probably than males to develop the illness.
The findings, introduced final week on the American Affiliation for Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Nationwide Convention, level to rising curiosity in early detection at a time when new checks are making an early Alzheimer’s analysis extra accessible than ever.
“For too lengthy, conversations about Alzheimer’s have been formed by stigma and concern,” mentioned Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen. “This survey tells us that girls 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 selections 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 threat and accessible screening choices stay low:
- Solely 50% of girls really feel educated about their private threat of Alzheimer’s
- Two in 3 have no idea that girls are extra probably than males to develop Alzheimer’s
- Only one in 10 are conversant in FDA-cleared blood biomarker checks that may assist rule out or assist an Alzheimer’s analysis
Supplier engagement is a transparent lever: 90% of girls say a supplier suggestion would make them extra prone to pursue testing. Consciousness of therapy choices issues too: 2 in 3 ladies say they’d be extra prone to pursue blood biomarker testing in the event that they knew way of life modifications and medicines existed that would sluggish Alzheimer’s development.
Assets to assist these conversations exist already. For instance, AANP’s Cognitive Health Point-of-Care tool and the AAFP Cognitive Care Kit give suppliers a sensible start line. These instruments assist suppliers assess cognitive threat, foster brain-healthy habits, and information sufferers and households via early recognition.
For extra info, go to https://www.healthywomen.org/alzheimers-early-testing-survey
Survey Methodology
The Cognitive Well being Screening Survey was carried out on-line in america by The Harris Ballot on behalf of HealthyWomen amongst 2,000 ladies ages 45 to 64 who haven’t been identified with a cognitive impairment. The survey was carried out Might 7–19, 2026. Knowledge are weighted by age, race/ethnicity, area, schooling, marital standing, family measurement, employment, family revenue and smoking standing to mirror 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 impartial, nonprofit well being info supply for girls. HealthyWomen.org was the primary web site to comprehensively tackle ladies’s well being and wellness points and continues to teach ladies to make knowledgeable well being selections by offering goal, fact-based info. For practically 40 years, ladies have turned to HealthyWomen for solutions to their most essential healthcare questions. To be taught extra, please go to www.HealthyWomen.org. Observe HealthyWomen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SOURCE HealthyWomen

