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11h ago

UCSF Study Finds Dementia Incidence Highest in Southeast Among U.S. Veterans

Published in JAMA Neurology, the study analyzes health records of 1.2 million veterans to underscore the need for region-specific dementia prevention.

A map showing the age-adjusted dementia incidence rates across different U.S. states.
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© Dintica et al/JAMA Neurology

Overview

  • Dementia incidence in the Southeast was 25% higher than in the Mid-Atlantic baseline region.
  • Veterans in the Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions faced a 23% higher dementia risk, the South saw an 18% rise, and the Southwest and Northeast recorded increases of 13% and 7% respectively.
  • Regional disparities persisted after adjusting for demographics, rurality and cardiovascular conditions.
  • The study linked higher dementia rates to lower educational attainment and greater prevalence of chronic conditions such as stroke, hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
  • Authors cautioned that veterans may not represent the broader U.S. population yet said the findings could guide localized prevention and intervention efforts.