RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF DEMENTIA: A LIFESPAN APPROACH

Abstract We examined risk and protective factors associated with dementia decomposed racial/ethnic disparities in dementia. performed a retrospective analysis of 3,495 individuals 65+ who participated the 2016 Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol, linked to Health Retirement Study. Using MMSE score, were classified as having vs cognitively normal. Risk included cardiovascular hearing loss midlife, current smoking, depression, physical inactivity. Protective educational attainment wealth. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition we quantified relative contribution individual variables explaining disparities. found that Blacks Hispanics have higher compared Whites. Accounting for demographics, mid-and later-life explained one-third difference Whites’ cognitive functioning, two-thirds The findings highlight disparate rates, need elucidate other beyond race/ethnicity.