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Study suggests that dementia risk is rising in seniors

2025.01.22 12:41:02 Chloe Kim
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[Dementia. Photo credit: Pixabay]

According to a new study, the risk of dementia among the  aging U.S. population is significantly higher than previously estimated, with the burden expected to increase substantially  in the coming decades.

Approximately 42% of Americans over 55 will experience dementia in their later years, according to the study published in the journal Nature Medicine.

By 2060, the number of dementia cases in the US is expected to double as the population ages, from around 514,000 cases in 2020 to roughly 1 million cases annually.

Researchers attribute a significant portion of this trend to the aging Baby Boomer generation.

According to the US Census Bureau, the Boomer generation, which was born between 1946 and 1964, is the second biggest generation in the US behind their offspring, the Millennials. 

The youngest members of the Boomer generation are already at least 60 years old, and there were over 73 million of them in 2020.

All Baby Boomers will reach the age of 75 by 2040, when dementia cases have been shown to significantly rise. 

The latest study revealed that, with an average age of 81, only around 17% of cases were identified before the age of 75.

For this research, approximately 15,000 people's medical data were monitored, with each patient being followed for an average of 23 years. 

Compared to other studies that have assessed the prevalence of dementia, their dataset was  notably diverse, with over 25% of participants being African American and they used more thorough techniques to record diagnoses.

As higher-risk minority groups are predicted to make up more than half of the US population by 2045, the researchers suggested that the evolving racial demographics may also contribute to the increase in dementia incidence.

The researchers identified significant racial disparities in dementia risk, with African American adults experiencing earlier onset and far higher diagnosis rates than their caucasian counterparts. 

Projections suggest that by 2060, the number of African American adults diagnosed with dementia may triple annually.

The cumulative consequences of systemic racism and inequality throughout life may be reflected in racial differences in dementia. 

For instance, socioeconomic disparities and limited access to treatment may result in a larger load of vascular risk factors, and inadequate access to education and nutrition may contribute to early variations in cognitive reserve in middle age.

Gender also plays a role, with senior women being around 48% more likely than senior men to have dementia in their lifetime, compared to 35% for men. 

However, this difference is largely due to the fact that women typically live longer.

Health professionals highlight that there are several chances to lower population risk via improved management of certain lifestyle variables, such as maintaining a healthy weight and food, mental health, and hearing loss, even if age and hereditary factors account for a substantial portion of the growing burden of dementia.

Clinical trials increasingly demonstrate that healthy lifestyle choices, the lack of vascular risk factors, and hearing rehabilitation have all been associated with better cognitive results. 

However, only around 30% of older persons with hearing loss use a hearing aid, and barely 20% of US seniors reach recommended lifestyle and cardiovascular health criteria.

Chloe Kim / Grade 11
Seoul International School