Findings from four separate studies, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in San Diego earlier this month, point to stark inequalities in dementia risk and have led to calls for government action to address them.
“Bolder government action” is needed, said Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK), with the findings indicating that people who experience high socioeconomic deprivation are significantly more likely than their more affluent counterparts to develop dementia.
“Addressing health inequalities is a key part of the challenge of tackling dementia,” said ARUK head of policy Dr Susan Mitchell. “These findings add to the growing body of evidence that the environment people live and work in affects their dementia risk, which government plays a key role in helping to shape.
“There has never been a more pressing need to identify, understand and develop interventions against risk factors for dementia.”