Contribution of socioeconomic, lifestyle, and medical risk factors to disparities in dementia and mortality

Extensive literature in the United States documents racial/ethnic and gender disparities in the incidence and prevalence of dementia yet few studies have examined how race/ethnicity and gender intersect to shape inequalities in the risk of dementia. Moreover, few studies have examined heterogeneity in the contribution of known risk factors to dementia across these demographic strata while properly accounting for the semi-competing risk of death. I calculated the proportion of dementia cases attributable to socioeconomic, lifestyle, and medical risk factors across demographic subgroups using nationally representative data from the US-based Health and Retirement Study for the years 2000–2016 and a multistate framework that accounts for the semi-competing risk of death. Socioeconomic resources contributed to the largest number of dementia cases but the magnitude of this contribution varied across strata defined by race/ethnicity and gender. The greatest potential for dementia prevention was observed among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men and women, supporting an intersectionality approach, and underscoring the need for culturally sensitive intervention and public health initiatives to address the growing burden of dementia. Taken together, work demonstrates the potential benefit of taking an intersectional approach to understanding disparities in dementia.