If You Live In This Part Of The U.S. You May Be At A Higher Risk For Dementia

Everyone occasionally finds it hard to recall a word or forgets what they ate for dinner the night before. That's normal. But for the estimated tens of millions who are living with the realities of progressive dementia, those experiences start to occur more frequently as the disease begins to affect their normal brain functions.

There's not one cause for dementia, which makes it hard to avoid. (Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of dementia.) However, you may be able to lower your risk factor of developing dementia or delay its onset by taking certain measures. For instance, exercising and eating a varied diet of nutrient-dense foods might help. Taking neuroprotective supplements might, too. And if a 2025 study from JAMA Neurology is correct, where you live could contribute to your chance of getting a dementia diagnosis later in life.

The comprehensive study focused on the health data of 1,268,599 veterans across the United States over a 22-year span. It found that veterans who lived in mid-Atlantic states had the lowest incidence of dementia, whereas those living in the southeastern and northwestern states had the highest. This raises the question: Why would your place of residence have any bearing on your risk of dementia? While there isn't a single answer, there are some plausible hypotheses.

First, let's look at the lifestyles and diet of people in the southeast. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people living in the south tended to be more obese than their northeastern counterparts.

Does weight matter? A 2022 review in the Journal of Molecular Sciences suggests it does. The review explored the role of leptin and its noteworthy neuroprotective capabilities. Since obesity may cause leptin levels to dip, individuals who are overweight may have less protection against cognitive impairment. Another potential correlation between location and dementia risk could relate to environmental factors. Per WorldAtlas, many southeastern states are at the top of the nationwide industrial pollution rankings. To be fair, some mid-Atlantic ones are named as well. Nonetheless, of the top 10 states listed, six represent the southeast.

Does science acknowledge a would-be connection between pollution and neurological disorders? Studies support a causal relationship between exposure to air pollution and the development of dementia (via the National Institutes of Health). Dr. Richard J. Hodes noted that the link could help spur future ecological decisions that would have health ramifications for humans. "As we experience the effects of air pollution from wildfires and other emissions locally and internationally, these findings contribute to the strong evidence needed to best inform health and policy decisions."

Socioeconomic factors could also be behind the rise of dementia in some regions. Certainly, dementia can happen to anyone from any background. But people living in disadvantaged financial and social situations might be unable to get consistent healthcare.

A 2024 study in Innovations in Aging discovered that when adults struggled with poverty in four key areas (schooling, general health, residence, and mental health), they were more apt to experience dementia. As a 2023 chart from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates, poverty is statistically more prevalent in the south than in the mid-Atlantic.

That said, the original study on high dementia rates in the U.S. looked at veterans who were all getting care through local veterans hospitals. This means that they were getting some form of healthcare regardless of their financial status since their healthcare was covered. However, data from the Department of Veterans Affairs reveals that although veterans are not as likely to live in poverty as non-veterans, the south has a high rate of veterans living in poverty. Consequently, getting to and from appointments (and delaying diagnosis and treatment) may be a challenge for some in the south.