Dementia Risk Declining With Each Generation, Says Promising New Study : ScienceAlert
A major new study led by UC San Francisco (UCSF) has revealed that your risk of developing dementia could significantly depend on where you live in the United States. The research highlights alarming regional differences in dementia prevalence—even after accounting for common risk factors like age and cardiovascular health.
📊 Study Finds Higher Dementia Rates in Certain U.S. Regions
In one of the largest and most detailed studies of its kind, researchers analyzed dementia rates across the country using the Mid-Atlantic region as a baseline. The findings were striking:
- 🧠 Dementia rates were 25% higher in the Southeast
- 📈 The Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions showed a 23% increase
- 🧾 The South had an 18% higher rate
- 🌵 The Southwest, including California, had a 13% higher rate
- 🗽 The Northeast, which includes New York, saw a 7% increase
These disparities held strong even after adjusting for age, race, and cardiovascular conditions. This suggests that geographic location may play a critical role in dementia risk—beyond personal health factors.
🧬 Why Does Geography Matter for Dementia Risk?
According to Dr. Kristine Yaffe, senior author and professor at UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System, these findings should drive region-specific prevention strategies.
“This study underscores the urgent need to understand why dementia risk varies so much by region,” said Dr. Yaffe. “We need to tailor our prevention and intervention efforts accordingly.”
Lead researcher Dr. Christina Dintica added that further research will focus on identifying the root causes of these disparities. She points to several potential factors:
- 🏫 Educational quality
- 👶 Early life conditions
- 🌿 Environmental exposures
- 💼 Socioeconomic differences
- 🏥 Access to healthcare in rural vs. urban areas
🧪 Who Conducted the Study?
The study, recently published in JAMA Neurology, was a collaboration between top researchers:
- Christina Dintica, UCSF
- Kristine Yaffe, UCSF & San Francisco VA
- Amber Bahorik and Dr. John Boscardin, UCSF
- Feng Xia, Northern California Institute for Research and Education
💰 Funding Sources:
- Alzheimer’s Association (AARF-21-851960)
- National Institute on Aging (R35 AG071916)
- S. Department of Defense (W81XWH-22-1-096)
🧠 What You Can Do to Reduce Your Dementia Risk
While you can’t change where you were born, you can take proactive steps to protect your brain health:
- 🏃 Stay physically active
- 🧠 Engage in mental exercises and lifelong learning
- 🥗 Follow a brain-healthy diet (e.g., Mediterranean or DASH)
- 🫀 Control blood pressure and cholesterol
- 🚭 Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
- 🧑🤝🧑 Stay socially connected
✅ Conclusion: Geography Matters—but Awareness Is Power
This groundbreaking UCSF study confirms that your location may influence your dementia risk—but more importantly, it opens the door for targeted public health policies and personal lifestyle changes to reduce risk across all regions.
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