Dementia’s mortality in America: a local, regional, and temporal evaluation

Dementia is a leading global health challenge. Despite its burden, data from American countries remain scarce and fragmented. This lack of robust evidence impedes regional planning and policy-making. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the temporal trends of dementia's mortality in America with a local and regional approach. Methods: This ecological time-series study analyzed age-adjusted dementia mortality rates across American countries between 2000 and 2019. Data were obtained from Pan American Health Organization and cross-validated with national and international sources. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate annual percent change, identifying significant temporal trends in mortality. Results: Between 2000 and 2019, dementia mortality rates were highest in the Insular Americas and varied widely across countries. The United States, Canada, and several Central and South American nations exhibited elevated rates, while others, such as Paraguay and Venezuela, reported consistently low values. National trends were heterogeneous, with some countries showing steady declines and others persistent or erratic increases. Conclusion: This study highlights significant temporal trends in American dementia mortality, identifying critical areas for public health intervention and offering a foundation for future research on healthcare equity and cancer outcomes.