The relationship between socioeconomic status and dementia has been the focus of many recent studies. While genetic factors play a role in the development of dementia, research shows that environmental and lifestyle factors are also important determinants of the disease. In particular, the conditions in which people live, work, and age can significantly impact their risk of developing dementia.
Dementia and Health Disparities
According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Exeter, people living in poverty are at an increased risk of developing dementia compared to those with higher economic status, regardless of genetics due to a lack of dementia care options for low-income families. The study analyzed data from 196,368 UK Biobank participants over the age of 60 who did not have a dementia diagnosis between 2006-2010. The participants’ genetic risk for developing dementia was assessed through risk scores, and their socioeconomic status was measured on an individual and community level.
The study found that low socioeconomic conditions, at both individual and community levels, contributed to the risk of developing dementia. Participants with a moderate or high genetic risk were at a significantly higher risk of developing dementia if they lived in a deprived area. Brain imaging data was available for some participants, and the researchers found that those living in poverty had more damage to nerve fibers called white matter – a type of tissue enabling communication between different areas of the brain. The same patterns were seen for both socioeconomic measures.
Brain Development and Poverty in Early Life
The study’s lead author, Dr. Janice Ranson, emphasized the critical importance of the findings, particularly given the current cost of living crisis there is a link between poverty and dementia diagnosis. She noted that while lifting people out of poverty would be the ideal solution, it may not be realistic for many since there is a lack of dementia awareness in low-income communities. Instead, she suggested that emerging dementia prevention services should target particularly vulnerable groups, such as those living in poverty.
The study’s findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and highlight the importance of environmental influences on brain health. Additional research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®) 2022 in San Diego and virtually further supports the link between socioeconomic deprivation and dementia risk. Studies show that individuals who experience high socioeconomic deprivation are significantly more likely to develop dementia compared to those with better socioeconomic status, even at high genetic risk.
Dementia and the Impact on Minority and Underserved Populations
Other research presented at the conference suggests that lower-quality neighbourhood resources and difficulty paying for basic needs are associated with lower cognitive test scores among Black and Latino individuals. Higher parental socioeconomic status, on the other hand, is associated with increased resilience to the negative effects of Alzheimer’s marker ptau-181, better baseline executive function, and slower cognitive decline in older age. Finally, sustained low-wage earners experienced significantly faster memory decline in older age compared to workers earning higher wages.
The research presented at AAIC 2022 highlights the importance of studying social determinants of health-related cognition, including socioeconomic status dementia support services for low-income individuals. By better understanding, the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and dementia risk, policymakers and healthcare professionals can develop more effective strategies for financial assistance for dementia care and policies to prevent this devastating condition.
