Alzheimer disease

Dementia Prevalence Is Higher in Rural Areas

The prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) are higher among older adults living in rural parts of the United States, compared with older adults living in urban areas, according to the findings of a recent study.

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, the researchers linked information regarding community-dwelling US adults from the 2000 (n = 16,386) and 2010 (n = 16,311) sections to respective Census assessments. Logistic regression was used to assess the relative risk ratios for dementia and CIND among rural and urban residents.
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In 2000, the unadjusted relative risk for dementia and CIND was higher among rural residents compared with urban residents. However, this association was no longer significant by 2010.

However, in models that fully adjusted for sociodemographic and health factors in 2010, the disadvantaged for dementia risk and CIND among those living in rural areas persisted (relative risk of 1.79 and 1.38, respectively).

“Larger gains in rural adults’ cognitive functioning between 2000 and 2010 that are linked with increased educational attainment demonstrate long-term public health benefits of investment in secondary education,” the researchers concluded. “Persistent disadvantages in cognitive functioning among rural adults compared with sociodemographically similar urban peers highlight the importance of public health planning for more rapidly aging rural communities.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Weden MM, Shih RA, Kabeto MU, Langa KM. Secular trends in dementia and cognitive impairment of U.S. rural and urban older adults [published online December 12, 2017]. Am J Prev Med. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.10.021.