Alzheimer's & Dementia
Volume 13, Issue 1 p. 72-83
Review Article

Systematic review of dementia prevalence and incidence in United States race/ethnic populations

Kala M. Mehta, 

Corresponding Author

Kala M. Mehta

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-(415)-205-8780; Fax: +1-(415)-514-8150.

E-mail address: [email protected] (K.M.M.)

Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-(831)-688-5149; Fax: +1-(831)-662-3626.

E-mail address: [email protected] (G.W.Y.)

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Gwen W. Yeo, 

Corresponding Author

Gwen W. Yeo

Stanford Geriatric Education Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-(415)-205-8780; Fax: +1-(415)-514-8150.

E-mail address: [email protected] (K.M.M.)

Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-(831)-688-5149; Fax: +1-(831)-662-3626.

E-mail address: [email protected] (G.W.Y.)

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First published: 03 September 2016
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.2360
Citations: 220

The authors report no disclosures.

Abstract

Objective

To identify incidence and prevalence of dementia in racial and ethnic populations in the United States.

Methods

A systematic review of literature.

Results

A total of 1215 studies were reviewed; 114 were included. Dementia prevalence rates reported for age 65+ years from a low of 6.3% in Japanese Americans, 12.9% in Caribbean Hispanic Americans, 12.2% in Guamanian Chamorro and ranged widely in African Americans from 7.2% to 20.9%. Dementia annual incidence for African American (mean = 2.6%; SD = 1%; range, 1.4%–5.5%) and Caribbean Hispanic populations were significantly higher (mean, 3.6%; SD, 1.2%; range, 2.3%–5.3%) than Mexican American and Japanese Americans and non-Latino white populations (0.8%–2.7%), P < .001.

Conclusions

Data are needed for American Indian, most Asian, and Pacific Islander populations. Disaggregation of large race/ethnic classifications is warranted due to within-population heterogeneity in incidence and prevalence. African American and Caribbean Hispanic studies showed higher incidence of dementia. A nationwide approach is needed to identify communities at high risk and to tailor culturally appropriate services accordingly.