Dementia Risk and Social Determinants of Health Among Adults Racialized as Black: A Community-Based System Dynamics Perspective.

Jean-Francois Trani, Robbie Hart, Alexis I B Walker, Meena Safi, Ramkrishna K Singh, Yiqi Zhu, Ganesh M Babulal

Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

The aging population in the USA is projected to increase significantly, with a corresponding rise in dementia cases, particularly among racial minorities. This study examines the key drivers of racial disparities in dementia risk among older Black adults in the St. Louis area, a region characterized by entrenched structural racism. Utilizing a Community-Based System Dynamics (CBSD) approach, we engaged cognitively normal Black adults (age ≥ 45) to explore the complex interplay of social and structural determinants of health (S/SDOH) affecting dementia risk.

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Research summary

The paper addresses dementia risk among older Black adults, focusing on social and structural determinants of health, which are important factors in understanding health disparities in aging populations. However, while it contributes to the understanding of dementia risk, it does not directly tackle the root causes of aging or propose solutions for lifespan extension. The findings may provide valuable insights for public health interventions but are unlikely to have a transformative impact on the field of longevity research.

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