A recent study of US military veterans aged 65 and older found a surprising correlation between dementia risk and geographical location. Researchers analyzed health data from over 1.2 million veterans, revealing stark regional differences in dementia rates.
The Southeast region had the highest dementia rates, with cases 25% higher than those in the Mid-Atlantic region, which had the lowest rates. The study controlled for factors like age, race, heart disease, diabetes, and living environment, but geographic location remained a significant predictor of dementia risk.
Researchers identified several potential factors contributing to these regional differences, including lower educational attainment, chronic health conditions, lifestyle and environmental factors, access and quality of healthcare, and diagnosis practices. These findings highlight the importance of understanding regional variations in dementia and developing targeted prevention and intervention efforts.
The study underscores the need for more localized research into dementia, especially in regions facing higher dementia burdens. Understanding the underlying causes of dementia in different regions is crucial for both treatment and prevention.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/where-you-live-may-affect-risk-dementia-study-2082739