What factors contribute to higher epilepsy rates in older adults?

Key factors identified include sleeping less than seven hours, extreme heat, lack of physical activity, lack of health insurance, and limited vehicle access.

How did researchers map epilepsy rates in the US?

Researchers used advanced geospatial machine learning algorithms to analyze data from 4.8 million Medicare beneficiaries between 2016 and 2019.

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America's 'Epilepsy Belt' Revealed in New Study

Q: What is the 'epilepsy belt' in the US?

The 'epilepsy belt' refers to regions in the Southern U.S., including Louisiana, Mississippi, East Texas, and central Oklahoma, where older adults show significantly higher epilepsy rates.

21 Nov

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Summary

New study maps higher epilepsy rates in older adults in the U.S. South.
Sleep deprivation, extreme heat, and lack of exercise are key risk factors.
Geospatial mapping identifies specific regions with significant epilepsy clusters.

America's 'Epilepsy Belt' Revealed in New Study

A first-of-its-kind nationwide study has identified America's "epilepsy belt," a region characterized by higher rates of epilepsy among older adults. Researchers utilized advanced geospatial machine learning on data from 4.8 million Medicare beneficiaries between 2016 and 2019.

The study revealed significantly higher epilepsy incidence in older adults across parts of the South, including Louisiana, Mississippi, East Texas, and central Oklahoma. This geographic pattern suggests a strong influence of local social and environmental factors on the condition's prevalence.

Key risk factors identified include less than seven hours of sleep per night, extreme heat, lack of physical activity, and limited access to transportation. The study underscores the need for targeted public health strategies addressing these determinants in high-burden regions.