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Decomposing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia in the U.S
Nasim Ferdows, María Aranda. Clinical Gerontologist, 2025-07-17
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Black participants had 2.883 times higher odds of developing dementia compared to Whites, while Hispanic participants had 1.230 times higher odds (not statistically significant). Mid- and late-life risk and protective factors explained 32% of the cognitive gap between Black and White participants, and 70% between Hispanic and White participants, leaving 68% and 30% unexplained, respectively. Addressing disparities in education, wealth, cardiovascular risks, depression, and hearing loss can reduce cognitive dysfunction in older adults. Clinicians should target modifiable risk factors like depression and physical inactivity, particularly in minority populations. Addressing socioeconomic disparities is also crucial for improving cognitive health.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Ferdows, N., & Aranda, M. (2025). Decomposing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia in the U.S. Clinical Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2025.2534651
Vancouver
Ferdows N, Aranda M. Decomposing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia in the U.S. Clinical Gerontologist. 2025. doi:10.1080/07317115.2025.2534651. PMID: 40673372.
BibTeX
@article{ferdows2025-40673372,
author = {Ferdows, Nasim and Aranda, María},
title = {{Decomposing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia in the U.S}},
journal = {Clinical Gerontologist},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1080/07317115.2025.2534651},
pmid = {40673372},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2025.2534651}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Black participants had 2.883 times higher odds of developing dementia compared to Whites, while Hispanic participants had 1.230 times higher odds (not statistically significant).
- Mid- and late-life risk and protective factors explained 32% of the cognitive gap between Black and White participants, and 70% between Hispanic and White participants, leaving 68% and 30% unexplained, respectively.
- Addressing disparities in education, wealth, cardiovascular risks, depression, and hearing loss can reduce cognitive dysfunction in older adults.
- Clinicians should target modifiable risk factors like depression and physical inactivity, particularly in minority populations.
- Addressing socioeconomic disparities is also crucial for improving cognitive health.
Why it matters
This study found that Black participants had higher odds of developing dementia compared to Whites, and that mid- and late-life risk and protective factors explained part of the cognitive gap. It suggests that addressing disparities in education, wealth, cardiovascular risks, depression, and hearing loss can reduce cognitive dysfunction, but it does not test a specific treatment or cure.
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Study details
- Participants3,495
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 42/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Clinical Gerontologist) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Clinical Gerontologist: journal h-index 66 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 3 / 4 | 3,495 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 3 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 3 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author María Aranda: h-index 32 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Southern California: institution h-index 1,521 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40673372) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 42 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2025.2534651
- PubMed: 40673372
- Original source →
- Free full text: Clinical Gerontologist →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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