Health Department Leading Effort to Reduce Dementia in County

Published on December 15, 2025

Health Department leading effort to reduce dementia in Allegheny County

Trusted voices. Local support. Better brain health for all.

PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department will expand education, increase accessibility, and strengthen partnerships to help the community face the growing threat of dementia related illnesses with help from the Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure (BOLD) grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

In 2020, Alzheimer’s Disease was a top 10 leading cause of death in Allegheny County. Now, the Health Department is partnering with 13 local organizations to form the Allegheny County BOLD Coalition (ABC) to target risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). In September 2025, the CDC approved the coalitions’ ADRD strategic plan for Allegheny County.  

“Together, we can reduce the risk of dementia: through education, early action, and community support,” said Dr. James Weeden, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Program Manager for the Allegheny County Health Department. “We are working closely with local partners to strategically build a healthier county where we can lower the risk of dementia at every stage of life.” 

ABC works to reduce the risk of dementia in our communities by increasing awareness, access to resources, and providing opportunities for healthy aging.  

The strategic plan centers on three goals: 

1. Education: expanding training for healthcare professionals, caretakers, and community outreach coordinators.
2.  Outreach: increasing accessibility and awareness for at-risk communities and low-income populations. 
3.  Connection: strengthen partnerships between healthcare providers and community services so people get better care and the resources they need. 

“The answers are simple: know the signs, start the conversation, and connect to care,” said Weeden. 

The BOLD grant was first awarded in 2023 to develop a strategic plan on how to address dementia in the county. The latest CDC approval of the plan provides up to $450,000 in funding to carry out the goals.  

For more information about BOLD, ABC, and the strategic plan, please contact bold@alleghenycounty.us.  

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The Allegheny County Health Department's mission is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of the more than 1.2 million people who call Allegheny County home. 

Media inquiries may be directed to Ronnie Das,
Public Information Officer for the Health Department,
at ronnie.das@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-578-7991.