A new study published in Neurology suggests that individuals residing in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods may face a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those in more affluent areas. While the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights a strong association between neighborhood factors and dementia risk.
Researchers assessed neighborhood disadvantage based on income levels, employment rates, education, and disability prevalence.
“Our findings indicate that the community you live in influences your likelihood of developing dementia,” said lead author Pankaja Desai, Ph.D., of Rush University in Chicago. “Most research on Alzheimer’s risk factors focuses on individuals rather than their broader environments. Addressing disparities at the community level presents challenges, but prioritizing disadvantaged areas may be an effective strategy for reducing dementia risk and improving overall public health.”
The study involved 6,781 participants, with an average age of 72, residing in four Chicago neighborhoods. Researchers administered cognitive tests at the start of the study and then every three years for at least six years. A subgroup of 2,534 individuals was evaluated for dementia, with 66% of participants identifying as Black and the remainder as white.
To assess neighborhood conditions, researchers analyzed U.S. Census tracts, which divide counties into smaller geographic areas based on socio-economic factors. By the end of the study, dementia rates varied according to neighborhood disadvantage:
- 11% of residents in the least disadvantaged areas developed Alzheimer’s disease.
- 14% in slightly more disadvantaged areas were diagnosed with the condition.
- 17% in neighborhoods with moderate disadvantage developed Alzheimer’s.
- 22% in the most disadvantaged areas were affected.
After adjusting for age, sex, and education—factors known to influence dementia risk—researchers found that individuals in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods were more than twice as likely to develop dementia as those in the least disadvantaged areas.
The study also revealed racial disparities in neighborhood distribution. “More Black participants lived in higher-disadvantage areas, while more white participants resided in lower-disadvantage neighborhoods,” Desai noted. “However, when neighborhood disadvantage was accounted for, racial differences in dementia risk disappeared.”
In addition to dementia diagnoses, researchers examined the rate of cognitive decline over time. Individuals in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods experienced a 25% faster decline in memory and thinking skills compared to those in the least disadvantaged areas.
While the findings underscore the influence of community environments on dementia risk, the study’s applicability may be limited, as all participants lived in Chicago. Further research is needed to determine whether these results hold true in other regions.
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