ISTANBUL

The risk of developing dementia in the US may depend on the geographic region where individuals reside, according to a study published Monday.

The research, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, analyzed the health data of over 1.2 million US veterans.

It found that geographic factors have a significant impact on dementia risk, even after considering factors such as age, race and cardiovascular health.

The study found that the highest rates of dementia were in the Southeast and the lowest were in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Compared with the Mid-Atlantic, dementia rates were found to be 25% higher in the Southeast, 23% higher in the Northwest, 18% higher in the South, 13% higher in the Southwest, which includes California, and 7% higher in the Northeast, which includes New York.

Researchers noted that accessing medical treatment may be more challenging in rural areas compared to urban centers.

“These results underscore the influence of regionally patterned risk factors or diagnostic practices, highlighting the importance of tailored health care strategies, public health initiatives, and policy reforms,” the study said.

Dementia refers to a group of diseases that affect memory, cognitive function and the ability to perform daily activities.

More than 6 million Americans are affected by dementia, a number that has grown as the nation's population has aged.