Environmental and Social Injustices Elevate Dementia Risk in Older Adults with End-Stage Kidney Disease: Insights from a National Registry Study

Highlight

1. Older adults with end-stage kidney disease living in areas of high fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure have a 44% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those in low-exposure areas.
2. Combined environmental pollution and racial/ethnic segregation markedly increase dementia risk, with a 2.28-fold higher hazard observed.
3. Minority populations residing in highly segregated, polluted neighborhoods are disproportionately affected, demonstrating the impact of compounded social and environmental injustices.
4. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted public health interventions and policy reforms addressing environmental and social determinants of health.

Study background