A recent study published in Neurology reveals that individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods are at a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those in more affluent areas. The research, led by Dr. Pankaja Desai of Rush University, analyzed data from 6,781 participants with an average age of 72, residing in four Chicago communities. The study found that people in neighborhoods with the highest levels of disadvantage were more than twice as likely to develop dementia as those in the least disadvantaged areas.
Dr. Desai emphasized the importance of community-level factors in influencing dementia risk, noting that most studies focus on individual risk factors. “Our findings show that the community in which you live influences your risk of developing dementia,” Desai stated. The study assessed neighborhood status based on income, employment, education, and disability, revealing that 22% of individuals in the most disadvantaged areas developed Alzheimer’s disease, compared to 11% in the least disadvantaged areas.
The research also highlighted that Black participants were more likely to live in disadvantaged neighborhoods, which contributed to higher dementia rates. However, once neighborhood disadvantage was accounted for, the racial disparity in dementia risk between Black and White participants diminished. This underscores the significant impact of socio-economic and environmental factors on health outcomes.
Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions to improve neighborhood conditions, such as increasing access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. By prioritizing disadvantaged communities, policymakers can help reduce the burden of dementia and promote health equity.
See: “Neighborhood status may affect risk of dementia, study suggests” (March 26, 2025)