Low Income May Increase Risk of Dementia

Income is directly related to not only lifestyle but also the risk of dementia. Low-income individuals are more likely to have modifiable risk factors such as hearing loss, high blood pressure, depression, and low physical activity. Elderly people living below the poverty line are particularly vulnerable—every fifth dementia case among them is linked to vision loss or social isolation. More than 5,000 people participated in the study, which assessed them for 13 risk factors including obesity, diabetes, smoking, head injuries, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, hearing and vision loss, depression, physical activity, and social isolation.