5. Ethnicity
According to some studies, people from South Asian, Black Caribbean, and Black African ethnic groups are more likely to develop dementia than people from white ethnic groups.
One possible explanation for this is that people from South Asian, Black Caribbean, and Black African ethnic groups have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes as they get older. And yes, both heart diseases and diabetes are important risk factors for mental disorders.
However, experts point out that more evidence is needed to conclude that ethnicity itself is a major risk factor for dementia. When comparing the risk between different ethnic groups, it’s important to also consider several factors.
For instance, some ethnic groups may have less access to work opportunities and education and may be more likely to live in socio-economically deprived areas. Some studies have discovered that people who live in such areas are at a higher risk of developing dementia.
Meanwhile, deprived areas also tend to experience high levels of pollution and have less access to social care and health care. This makes it difficult for a person to deal with any health issues that can lead to dementia.
