Dementia rates rise in Latin America and Caribbean

A multi-decade study published in JAMA Neurology reveals that dementia prevalence is rising across several Latin American and Caribbean regions, contrasting with declining rates in wealthier nations like the United States. Researchers analyzed data from 16,950 adults aged 65 and older in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico.

Findings indicate that in Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico, dementia rates increased significantly from approximately one in 10 older adults to nearly one in six over a 20-year period. In contrast, rates remained stable in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The study, conducted by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine and Newcastle University, highlights a critical data gap regarding Latino populations.

While high-income countries have seen steady or falling dementia rates due to improved education and cardiovascular health, these trends have not mirrored in the studied Latin American sites. Additionally, recent research emphasizes that midlife is a crucial period for prevention, as biological changes associated with Alzheimer’s may begin 10 to 20 years before symptoms appear. Managing cardiovascular health during midlife is cited as a key factor in preventing accelerated brain aging.