The authors predicted quantitatively meaningful and statistically significant variation in dementia prevalence among persons approximately age 80 according to individuals’ observed characteristics when they were about age 60.
An individual’s baseline cognitive abilities, health, and functional limitations are the strongest predictors of dementia, whereas parental health, family size, marital history, and demographics are the weakest ones.
Having poor physical health, a stroke, lower cognitive abilities, functional limitations, and particular genes strongly predict future incidence and prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia.
Individuals born in the Southern United States face higher chances of developing cognitive impairment and dementia, even when controlling for an expanded set of factors.
Other factors associated with a higher chance of developing cognitive impairment or dementia are not having a private health insurance plan at age 60, never having worked or having worked only a few years, having diabetes or a body mass index of 35 or more at age 60, never drinking alcohol or drinking excessively, never exercising, scoring low on various physical tests, being less conscientious, and having low engagement in hobbies and novel information activities.
Black and Hispanic individuals face higher chances of cognitive impairment and dementia, but these differentials shrink or disappear when accounting for observable differences, such as SES.
2 Medical News 