Mississippi State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
Mississippi’s Strategic Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias is a project led by the Department of Mental Health, Division of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, in collaboration with other stakeholders, public and private. The Strategic Plan was published in 2015 as an update to the original plan published in 2010. In January 2020, the next iteration of the state plan was published, The State of Mississippi, Strategic Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, 2020-2025. As a result of the federal BOLD grant the Mississippi State Department of Health received in 2020, Mississippi released the 2022 Update to the State of Mississippi, Strategic Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, 2020-2025.
Mississippi 2026 Policy Priorities
Improve Access to Biomarker Testing
With the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of multiple treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in the early stages, early detection and diagnosis are even more critical to ensure individuals receive the most benefit at the earliest point possible. Biomarkers offer one of the most promising paths to improve dementia detection, diagnosis and treatment. Yet these critical tests remain out of reach for many as insurance coverage is failing to keep pace with innovations and advancements in treatments. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to ensure insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. Without this legislation, dementia diagnoses may take up to two years, increasing the long-term costs to the individual, family and the state.
Mississippi State Advocacy Day
Join us at the Mississippi State Capitol to share your story with policymakers and join us as we raise our voices together in support of families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia across our state. Advocates will come together to meet with state legislators, learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association’s leading policy priorities and urge support of these critical initiatives.
Sign Up to Learn About Advocacy Opportunities in Mississippi
Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
Contact Us
State Affairs Contact: Blair Ewing
Phone: 769.230.0595
Email: bbewing@alz.org
62,500
people living with Alzheimer’s in Mississippi
92,000
Mississippians are providing unpaid care
$791 Million
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2025)
279%
increase in Alzheimer’s deaths 2000-2022
20%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
224.1%
increase of geriatricians in Mississippi needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in Mississippi
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how Mississippi policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.