A new study reveals that chronic stress and perceived discrimination may account for nearly a quarter of the racial disparity in dementia risk between Black and White older adults in the United States. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,600 participants in the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study and found that Black individuals had more than twice the risk of developing dementia compared to White individuals.
While neither chronic stress nor discrimination directly mediated the relationship between race and dementia, both factors significantly interacted with race to elevate risk. Eliminating racial differences in either chronic stress or perceived discrimination could reduce the Black-White dementia disparity by approximately 24% and 25%, respectively.
“These findings suggest that interventions should focus on Black individuals who experience high levels of stress and discrimination,” the authors wrote. The study used validated measures, including the Everyday Discrimination Scale, and accounted for variables such as education, income, and genetic risk factors.
Prior research has shown that Black Americans report higher levels of discrimination and stress, which are linked to poorer cognitive outcomes and increased brain lesions associated with dementia. This study adds to growing evidence that social determinants of health—particularly those rooted in systemic racism—play a critical role in long-term cognitive health.
The authors emphasized the need for targeted public health strategies to address these stressors and reduce the disproportionate burden of dementia in Black communities.
See “Investigating the role of chronic stress and perceived discrimination in racial disparities in incident dementia among U.S. older adults” (July 1, 2025)
