New Harris Poll data released by HealthyWomen at the AANP National Conference shows that 91% of women believe cognitive screenings should be as routine as a mammogram or cholesterol test.
RED BANK, NJ, June 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Midlife women are ready to take action when it comes to their cognitive health. A new national survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of HealthyWomen found that 90% of women ages 45 to 64 would be open to a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease early. The survey shows a striking discrepancy: While most women are open to early testing, only 9% say their providers have discussed cognitive health with them, and only 13% are actually familiar with the available FDA-approved blood tests, even though women are more likely than men to develop the disease.
The findings, presented last week at the American Association for Nurse Practitioners (AANP) National Conference, suggest growing interest in early detection at a time when new tests are making early Alzheimer’s diagnosis more accessible than ever.
“For too long, conversations about Alzheimer’s have been dominated by stigma and fear,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen. “This survey shows us that women are ready and need a different conversation with their providers. They want to be made aware of risks and understand early detection so they can make informed decisions about their brain health.”
The results underscore both the urgency and the opportunity. Of the women surveyed, one in three (33%) reported a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia, and one in four (26%) said they had noticed changes in their memory or thinking. However, risk awareness and available screening options remain low:
- Only 50% of women feel informed about their personal risk of Alzheimer’s
- Two out of three do not know that women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than men
- Only one in ten is familiar with FDA-approved blood biomarker tests that can help rule out or support an Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Provider engagement is a clear lever: 90% of women say a provider recommendation would increase their likelihood of pursuing testing. Knowing treatment options is also important: Two in three women say they would be more likely to undergo blood biomarker testing if they knew there were lifestyle changes and medications that could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Resources to support these conversations already exist. For example, AANP’s Cognitive Health Point-of-Care Tool and AAFP Cognitive Care Kit provide providers with a practical starting point. These tools help providers assess cognitive risks, promote brain-healthy habits, and support patients and families with early detection.
For more information, visit https://www.healthywomen.org/alzheimers-early-testing-survey
Survey methodology
The Cognitive Health Screening Survey was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of HealthyWomen among 2,000 women ages 45 to 64 who have not been diagnosed with cognitive impairment. The survey was conducted May 7-19, 2026. Data is weighted by age, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, employment, household income, and smoking status to reflect actual population proportions. Sampling accuracy is accurate to ±2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
About HealthyWomen
HealthyWomen is the nation’s leading independent, nonprofit health information source for women. HealthyWomen.org was the first website to comprehensively address women’s health and wellness issues and continues to educate women to make informed health decisions by providing objective, fact-based information. For nearly 40 years, women have turned to HealthyWomen to get answers to their most important health questions. To learn more, please visit www.HealthyWomen.org. Follow HealthyWomen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SOURCE HealthyWomen