US states with the highest dementia rates revealed — did yours make the list?

Home is where the heart is — but it also might be where your memory slips away.

A sweeping new study found that dementia rates vary drastically across the US in ways that can’t be explained by traditional risk factors.

The research suggests that where you live could play a significant role in whether you develop the memory-robbing disease later in life, opening new doors for targeted prevention efforts.

Dementia is a growing public health concern that affects more than 6 million Americans and causes over 100,000 deaths each year, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Looking ahead, researchers predict new dementia cases in the US will double over the next 40 years — increasing from roughly 514,000 in 2020 to nearly 1 million by 2060.

That means Americans over 55 face a 42% lifetime risk of being diagnosed. But could your zip code hold the key to lowering those odds?

Dementia hot spots

Researchers at UC San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed health data from more than 1.2 million veterans aged 65 and older, courtesy of the Veterans Health Administration.

Over an average of 12 years, the team tracked who developed the disease — then compared the numbers by location.

The Mid-Atlantic had the lowest dementia rate, with just 11.2 cases per 1,000 people annually. But other parts of the country saw significantly higher risks:

• The Southeast — Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi — had a 25% higher dementia diagnosis rate compared to the Mid-Atlantic.
• The Northwest and Rocky Mountains were 23% higher.
• The South saw an 18% increase.
• The Southwest trailed with a 13% higher rate.
• The South Atlantic and Midwest regions were about 12% higher.
• The Northeast and Great Lakes had a 7% increase.

Notably, the regional differences couldn’t be explained when researchers factored in common risk factors like age, race, heart disease or rural versus urban living.

The study does have some limitations. The authors only looked at veterans, who are mostly male and may not reflect the general population. This group also faces unique risks, like traumatic brain injury and PTSD, which could impact their odds.

Still, the results were clear: where you live matters. 

“The study underscores the need to understand regional differences in dementia and the importance of region-specific prevention and intervention efforts,” Dr. Kristine Yaffe, senior author of the study and director of the Center for Population Brain Health at UCSF, said in a statement.

Next, the researchers aim to uncover what’s driving these geographic gaps.

“Quality of education, early life conditions and environmental exposures may be key factors,” said Dr. Christina Dintica, first author of the study and a UCSF postdoctoral scholar.

Fight back against forgetting

While UCSF digs into why some places have higher dementia rates, you don’t have to wait to protect your brain.

Studies suggest that nearly 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed — with experts outlining five simple steps you can take right now to lower your risk.

First, get moving. Regular physical activity doesn’t just keep your body in shape — it sharpens your mind too.

Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week, plus muscle-strengthening sessions twice weekly.

Beyond exercise, managing your health is crucial. Preventing or controlling diabetes is key because too much sugar in your blood can damage vital organs — including your brain.

Along those lines, keeping your blood pressure under control is equally important. High blood pressure harms blood vessels and cuts blood flow to the brain, increasing your risk of stroke and memory loss.

Your hearing also plays a role. Taking steps to prevent hearing loss — or getting treatment if you already have it — matters because hearing loss can make your brain work harder, draining resources needed for memory and thinking.

Finally, try to limit or avoid drinking and smoking. Excessive alcohol can cause high blood pressure and brain injury, while smoking increases the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.