Black Americans potentially face triple the risk of dementia – 29 News

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Dementia cases are on the rise.
“I hope this research accomplishes is that I hope it raises awareness right around the growing burden of dementia in the US,” Primary Researcher Michael Fang said.
Michael Fang is the lead researcher of the nature medicine dementia study.
Fang and other researchers say that dementia cases in the United States will double by two reaching about 1 million cases per year.
“Putting an exact number to that and giving people a sense of what the future may look like in,” Fang said.
For Black Americans, the risk is greater because cases could triple.
Secondary researcher Josef Corseh says this could be for many reasons.
“Likely related to or educational opportunities possibly other discrimination-related issues. in addition to that, cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension,” Corseh said.
The next part will study dementia at its peak and dive deeper into the root of the problem and how it manifests in different ways.
“We find that those over age 85 are the majority at risk. we’re also working on how you translate this to various groups.,” Corseh said.
Another element that changes how dementia affects a patient is the care they receive.
“I do think that more and more we’re recognizing how things go i think we’re doing a better job of recognizing how this impacts patients, loved ones, and those around them,” UVA Assistant Professor of Medicine Doctor Matthew Van Dongen said.
It will take time to get to a good spot with this condition.
Dr. Van Dongen believes we are moving one step forward every day.
“It’s always gonna be a challenge,” Dr. Van Dongen said. “It’s always gonna be a challenge and I always reflect on this that, even knowing some of the answers to things doesn’t necessarily make it easier in the day-to-day. I think there is growing recognition of the need to expand those resources, especially as our population ages.”
Fang added that if dementia care is elevated, the risks can be reduced.
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