Gaby
A team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology has discovered that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are three times more likely to face the risk of developing early-onset dementia, defined as occurring before the age of 65.
The researchers utilized data from the UK Biobank, which included over 440,000 participants aged between 37 and 73. The team aimed to explore the connection between socioeconomic status and the early onset of cognitive decline. Their study analyzed data collected from 2007 to 2010, as well as from 2022.
The scientists meticulously examined information regarding the participants’ family wealth, education, and employment status, as reported by The Guardian. They also considered lifestyle factors, evaluating criteria such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet.
The results indicated that individuals with the lowest socioeconomic status faced a threefold higher risk of developing early dementia compared to their peers in higher social strata.
Interestingly, only 12 percent of early dementia cases among the studied group were attributed to unhealthy lifestyles. This means that the remaining individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who maintain healthier lifestyles, still face the risk of early cognitive decline.
Moreover, those who engage in unhealthy lifestyles have a 440 percent higher risk of developing early dementia compared to individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds who advocate for healthy living.
The authors of the study stated that this research is among the first to examine the correlation between socioeconomic status, healthy lifestyles, and early dementia.
As the researchers noted, the study demonstrated a link between the early onset of dementia and socioeconomic status; however, it was limited in terms of ethnic diversity, as over 85 percent of participants were of European descent.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Lancet Healthy Longevity.
