Europe UK CU – Dementia a progressive condition that usually results in the loss of ability to think and memory failure among others. As the rates of dementia are set to rise particularly in many industrialized countries which have seen a rapid decline in birth rates together with an increase in the aging populations, more research is likely to focus on how to better treat and manage the conditions.
A new study conducted by the University College London (UCL) has found that black Britons to have 22% higher rates in comparison to white Britons. The findings also saw black and South Asian individuals with dementia dying younger.
Black Britons are estimated to make up approximately just over 3% and South Asians are estimated to make up approximately just over 7% of the population in the UK.
The research focused on data 662,882 individuals over 65 years old which was from primary care and hospital health records in the UK from the year of 1997 to 2018, and researchers recommended more specific treatments to lower dementia risks and enhance treatment outcomes for ethnic minorities.
The results found a general prevalence of dementia among persons older than 65 in the UK to be 11.8%. In comparisons between ethnic minorities, the results indicated that after the control for factors such as age, sex and socioeconomic status, black Britons had a 22% greater incidence of dementia recorded when compared to white persons, while the South Asian persons were 17% lower than average.
The study also verified the results from previous studies showing a younger average age for dementia diagnosis for South Asian and black individuals, relative to white individuals in the UK.
The researchers did not look into a specific reason for the results. Dr Naaheed Mukadam of UCL Psychiatry who was the lead author said “As the UK population ages, the number of people living with dementia is expected to increase from just below one million now to over two million by the middle of the century, so it’s vital that we ensure that everyone at risk of dementia has access to the best care possible.
