Location, Location, Location: Dementia Diagnosis Rates Vary Across the US
Study Reveals Significant Regional Differences in Dementia Diagnosis Rates
A new study from the University of Michigan and Dartmouth College has found that where you live in the US may affect your chances of getting a dementia diagnosis. The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, reveals that nearly 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with dementia, while millions more likely have symptoms but have not been formally diagnosed.
Regional Variations in Diagnosis Rates
The researchers found that a person has up to twice the chance of getting a dementia diagnosis in some regions than in others. For example, someone in Wichita Falls, Texas, may be twice as likely to get diagnosed than if he was in Minot, North Dakota. The variation was most striking for black and Hispanic people and those on the younger end of the risk range, between 66 and 74 years old.
Maps Show Significant Differences
The researchers created two maps using Medicare and demographics data. The first map shows the percentage of people in each region who received a formal diagnosis, while the second map estimates what that percentage should be based on age, race, level of education, obesity, and other dementia risk factors. The differences between the two maps were profound, with portions of the Great Plains and Southwest seeing less diagnosis than expected.
Factors Contributing to Diagnosis Rates
The study suggests that the likelihood of diagnosis is related more to access to healthcare and language and cultural barriers than individual risk factors. Diagnosing dementia can be a complicated process because there isn’t a single test that reveals you have dementia. A doctor may use cognitive assessments, brain scans, and psychiatric evaluations to make a diagnosis.
Conclusion
The study’s findings highlight the need for increased awareness and access to healthcare services, particularly in regions with lower diagnosis rates. Bynum hopes that the results of this study will spur change and encourage communities and health systems to increase efforts to make services available to people.
FAQs
Q: What is the most common form of dementia?
A: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.
Q: What are some lifestyle factors that may raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease?
A: Tobacco and alcohol use, poor sleep, high blood pressure, social isolation, high cholesterol, and inactivity are some lifestyle factors that may raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Q: What is the significance of a formal diagnosis for dementia?
A: A formal diagnosis is crucial for access to and insurance coverage of the latest biomarker tests, brain imaging scans, and dementia-slowing medications.
