No link between dementia and wealth
The likelihood of developing dementia does not vary by location across the UK and is not connected to wealth or lifestyles, new research has found.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS) found people in more affluent areas were not at any less risk of contracting the brain disease than those in deprived areas.
Dr Fiona Matthews, the lead researcher, stressed surprise at the findings, and said: “The new research will help those planning services for people with dementia to estimate requirements now and in the future.”
According to the research, incidences of dementia will increase as the population continues to age.
For both sexes, the incidence rates of dementia rise notably with age – from 6.7 per 1,000 for 65 to 69-year-olds, to 68.5 per 1,000 for people aged 85 and above.
Data of 13,000 over 65s was looked at for the study.
