People with low income face more risk factors for dementia.
People with low income face significantly more risk factors for developing dementia, according to researchers who published a study in the journal Neurology. In a large-scale analysis of data from more than five thousand participants, the scientists showed that the lower the family income, the more accumulated modifiable risk factors a person has that can accelerate the development of cognitive impairments.
The researchers divided the participants into six income levels. It was found that with each step up the income scale, the likelihood of having one additional risk factor decreased by 9 percent. Moreover, the most dangerous combinations were found in the lowest income category: vision impairment and social isolation, which are estimated to account for up to 40 percent of potentially preventable cases of dementia.
The scientists emphasize that low income is not a direct cause of cognitive decline, but it creates conditions in which risks accumulate rapidly. Inaccessibility of medical care, lack of regular ophthalmological support, weak social engagement, and high rates of chronic diseases all create a breeding ground for future memory and thinking disorders.
The authors note that the results are observational in nature but emphasize the need for targeted programs for low-income individuals. Improving access to basic medical care and reducing social isolation, they say, could significantly reduce the risk of dementia in the coming years.
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