The research highlights that women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods exhibit consistently higher rates of dementia.

The study stresses the need for improved dementia care services and policies that address risk factors from early life.

A recent study reveals a paradox in dementia trends among Medicare beneficiaries, showing a decrease in new diagnoses from 2015 to 2021, while the overall prevalence of dementia has significantly increased.

Jay B. Lusk, MD, emphasizes the importance of long-term care planning and caregiver support as people with dementia are living longer, necessitating better resources for families.

Conducted by experts from the UNC School of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the research was published in The British Medical Journal.

With dementia cases projected to more than double to nearly 14 million by 2060, significant social and economic challenges are anticipated.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for targeted dementia prevention and care strategies, particularly in underserved communities, as projections suggest that the number of Americans living with dementia could reach 14 million by 2060.

These findings underscore the importance of health equity and the necessity for improved access to preventive care and support services for those at risk.

While the findings align with other studies, there is a cautionary note regarding the underrepresentation of marginalized minorities in Medicare plans, which may obscure true disparities.

Dementia remains a leading cause of disability among older adults, with projections indicating that over 150 million people globally may develop dementia by 2050.

The study acknowledges limitations, including potential inaccuracies in Medicare claims data and the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities, but emphasizes the importance of its findings based on a large national sample.

This research was funded by the Duke-UNC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Duke University Department of Neurology.