Khaberni - A new study has uncovered a concerning connection between individuals' economic status and the likelihood of developing dementia in later life stages.
An analysis that included over 5,000 American adults showed that individuals with limited income and members of less fortunate ethnic groups face an increased risk of this life-altering brain disorder.
According to the study conducted by a team from the American Academy of Neurology, lower income is clearly linked to increased likelihoods of several diseases including high blood pressure, hearing loss, depression, in addition to a sedentary lifestyle.
The findings also revealed that one in five dementia cases among the elderly under the poverty line could be directly linked to vision loss and social isolation.
In this regard, Dr. Eric Stolberg from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University commented, "Despite the exploratory nature of our study and its inability to prove causality, improving visual care services and reducing social isolation among the elderly could make a significant difference in the lives of those living in poverty."
Official statistics reveal that more than 11% of Americans, approximately 37 million people, were living below the poverty line in 2023.
More concerning is that researchers have found that diseases such as diabetes, obesity, poor vision, and lack of physical activity remain more prevalent among historically marginalized ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Mexicans, and Latinos, even after taking income differences into account.
Scientists continue their efforts to understand the underlying reasons for the higher rates of dementia among African Americans compared to other ethnic groups. The latest research points to possible genetic factors, including genes linked to African ancestry that increase the body's sensitivity to salt, which may explain the higher rates of high blood pressure in this group.
Interestingly, many dementia risk factors overlap with those for cardiovascular diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Dr. Roy Ziegelstein, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins University, explains this complex relationship: "We know for certain that depression and heart disease often go hand-in-hand, with 20% of those experiencing a heart attack being diagnosed with depression shortly after the incident."
Statistics show that African Americans suffer from higher rates of heart disease, up to 30% more compared to their White counterparts. Researchers attribute this health gap to a complex mix of factors including racial discrimination, difficulties in accessing healthy diets, substandard medical care, and environmental factors.
The study included the assessment of 13 different risk factors, covering a wide range of aspects from education and smoking to brain injuries. The results showed that higher income levels—reaching up to five times the federal poverty line—were associated with a significant reduction in all dementia risk factors, except for obesity, high cholesterol, and brain injuries.
Researchers affirm that addressing issues of poor vision and social isolation can reduce dementia cases by at least 20%. Stolberg adds, "These results offer us a real opportunity to help the most vulnerable groups reduce their risk of dementia, especially in marginalized communities where these risk factors are more prevalent."
