Black Americans with poor heart health are more likely to develop dementia than their white counterparts, according to a long-term study tracking more than 2,600 older adults. The findings highlight a troubling disparity: even when Black participants had equal or better cardiovascular health, their risk of dementia remained higher.
Researchers used the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 scoring system, which includes physical activity, smoking, weight, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. While better heart health reduced dementia risk for all groups, the benefit was smaller for Black participants.
Black individuals with the lowest cardiovascular scores were nearly twice as likely as white individuals in the same category to develop dementia. Even among those with higher heart health scores, Black participants still experienced elevated risk. The study’s authors said this suggests that biological risk factors alone do not explain the disparity.
The researchers pointed to structural inequities—such as limited access to health care, safe neighborhoods, and nutritious food—as possible drivers of the racial gap. They concluded that improving heart health alone is not enough to eliminate disparities in dementia outcomes.
The study reinforces concerns that social and environmental disadvantages contribute to disproportionately higher dementia rates among Black Americans.
See: “Poor heart health increases risk of dementia for Black Americans” (June 13, 2024)
