The Risk of Dementia Higher Among Black and South Asian people

The prevalence of dementia is increasing globally, with certain ethnicities experiencing a high ratio. Contributing factors include an aging population, as well as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and smoking.

A study carried out in the United Kingdom and published in PLOS One, suggests that the increase in this disease cases is more in people of color than in white people.  

Especially, black and South Asian people are at high risk of developing the disease than white people, it said. By mid-century, the number of dementia patients would reach 150 million worldwide.

Key Insights on Health, Aging, and Dementia

As people grow older, the slowing down of certain cognitive functions and memory changes. These age-related changes are considered normal. But, these changes do not mean a person will inevitably develop the disease.

Despite this, it is important for individuals and families to differentiate between normal age-related changes and dementia. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in slowing the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that it is a deterioration in memory, thinking, and decision-making that interferes with normal life. There are several forms of this disease, the most common is Alzheimer’s Disease, which causes an estimated 60 to 70 percent of this disease cases.

There are several factors that increase the risk of developing dementia.

• Hypertension
• Hearing impairment
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Depression
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Traumatic brain injury
• Air pollution
• Less education
• Infrequent social contact

It is to be noted that earlier, in a large-scale U.S. study, its rates varied among ethnic groups. It was higher in Black and Hispanic participants compared to whites. But, it did not specify what were the reasons behind it.

In the U.K., a study of 865,674 individuals aged 65 and above (1997-2018) in the CALIBER database, which holds anonymized health records, examined dementia rates. None had this disease at the study’s outset. It was identified through various records and medications. Unlike previous studies, this included a diverse range of ethnic groups, such as White, South Asian, Black, Mixed, and Other.

How Ethnicity Influences Dementia Risk: Key Insights

Out of 865,647 individuals in the study, 12.6% (1 in 8) developed dementia. After adjusting for variables like age, gender, and socioeconomic status, the researchers found that certain risk factors had varying impacts based on ethnicity. For South Asian individuals, factors such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, low HDL (‘good’ cholesterol), and sleep disorders increased dementia risk compared to white individuals. Black individuals had a higher dementia risk associated with hypertension. These risk factors parallel those that elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease in Black and South Asian populations.

The researchers found that, compared with white people, hypertension had 1.57 times more impact on the disease risk in South Asian people and 1.18 times more in Black people.

How to Reduce Dementia Risk: What You Can Do

Dr. MacSweeney, who was not involved in the study, said, “Diet, sleep and physical and mental exercise are all imperative to safeguarding against dementia.”

While the risk of dementia tends to rise with age, the CDC recommends adopting certain lifestyle habits to enhance brain health as you age and lower your risk of developing the condition. These practices include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active.
• Managing blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes.
• Preventing and managing high blood pressure.
• Caring for your hearing – addressing hearing loss if present.
• Consuming alcohol in moderation and avoiding binge drinking.
• Quitting smoking, which not only reduces the risk of dementia but also lowers the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other lung ailments.”

Per the Alzheimer’s Association, older Black individuals face double the dementia risk compared to their white counterparts. This heightened risk results from a complex interplay of factors, including racism, structural disparities, and barriers to quality healthcare access