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Poverty and Race Linked to Higher Dementia Risk Factors Across America
13 Nov
Summary
- Lower income and racial minority status strongly associated with more dementia risk factors
- 21% of dementia cases could be mitigated by addressing vision loss, 20% by tackling social isolation
- Findings highlight need for targeted prevention efforts in underrepresented communities
According to a study published on November 12, 2025, lower-income and racial minority populations in the United States face a disproportionately high burden of modifiable risk factors for dementia disorders like Alzheimer's disease. The large-scale analysis of nationwide health data reveals that individuals with incomes below the federal poverty level and those identifying as racial minorities, including Black and Hispanic Americans, are more prone to having multiple dementia risk factors compared to their higher-income and White counterparts.
These risk factors include obesity, high cholesterol, traumatic brain injury, untreated hearing loss and hypertension, smoking, depression, diabetes, physical inactivity, vision loss, and social isolation. The researchers estimate that addressing just two of these factors—vision loss and social isolation—could potentially prevent 21% and 20% of dementia cases, respectively, among low-income patients.
Experts say these findings underscore the need for targeted prevention efforts in underrepresented communities, as the underlying causes of dementia may differ from those seen in higher-income, predominantly White populations studied in previous clinical trials. By focusing on modifiable risk factors, public health authorities and healthcare providers can take meaningful steps to reduce the disproportionate dementia burden faced by marginalized groups in the United States.
