Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Risk and Protective Factors of Dementia in the United States

Recent population‐based studies show decline in dementia incidence and prevalence in high‐income countries, suggesting that improved population cardiovascular health and rising levels of education in the past 25 years were associated with reduction of dementia risks. However, in the US, there is a variation in changes over time of educational attainment, prevalence and management of chronic diseases, and behaviors associated with poor cardiovascular health among racial/ethnic groups. This study examines the risk and protective factors associated with dementia and decomposes racial/ethnic disparities in factors associated with cognitive functioning.