A new study reveals alarming trends in dementia-related deaths in the United States, with Black adults and women disproportionately impacted. The research, published in The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, analyzed mortality data from 1999 to 2020 and found a significant increase in dementia-related deaths during this period.
The study, led by Mohsan Ali, MBBS, from Kig Edward Medical University in Pakistan, identified 6,601,680 dementia-related deaths over the 21-year period. Women accounted for 66.3% of these deaths, while 85.5% were among non-Hispanic white individuals. The overall age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) was 17.49 per 10,000 individuals, with women experiencing a higher rate than men (18.19 vs. 16.05).
Notably, non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest AAMR at 18.23, compared to 18.09 for non-Hispanic white adults and 12.7 for Hispanic or Latino adults. The researchers attributed this disparity to various factors, including genetic variants, health disparities, socioeconomic status, limited health literacy, reduced access to quality education, chronic health conditions, stress, and experiences of racial discrimination.
The study also highlighted geographical disparities, with nonmetropolitan areas experiencing a higher increase in AAMR compared to urban areas. The researchers emphasized the need for targeted health care policies to address these “concerning trends,” focusing on prevention, early detection, and reducing disparities in dementia care.
Ali and colleagues acknowledged limitations in their study, including potential misclassification of dementia as a cause of death in some cases. Nevertheless, their findings underscore the urgent need for action to address the growing burden of dementia, particularly among vulnerable populations.
See “‘Concerning trends’ in dementia mortality most notable among Black adults, women in US” (August 26, 2024)
