Why are Pittsburgh buildings lit in teal?

Forget red — Pittsburgh is painting the town teal.

Several local buildings were illuminated in the color teal Friday and joined more than 1,300 sites in all 50 states and 16 additional countries “going teal” for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Light the World in Teal Program.

It was the start of Alzheimer’s awareness month, which began Nov. 1.

The hue was on the Gulf Tower, Koppers Building, One Oxford Centre, Pittsburgh City-County Building, Fifth Avenue Place, Allegheny County Courthouse and the David Lawrence Convention Center Downtown, as well as Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland and Sunrise of McCandless, a senior living community in the North Hills.

Some may remain teal throughout the month.

The endeavor aims to show support for the millions of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Nearly 7 million Americans, including 282,000 Pennsylvanians, are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with Alzheimer’s is projected to double by 2060, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It’s wonderful to see some of Pittsburgh’s most well-known and iconic sites raising Alzheimer’s awareness and showing support for the millions of Americans impacted by the disease,” Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “AFA thanks each of them for ‘going teal’ and literally shining a light on the issue of Alzheimer’s disease.”

This is the 11th year of this campaign.

Individuals can also participate by wearing teal or posting on social media as a way to raise awareness.