The study cites a lack of routine testing in primary care and the stigma attached to the condition as factors that stand in the way of dementia being recognized as a cause of death.Lead study author Andrew Stokes of BUSPH says, “Understanding what people die of is essential for priority setting and resource allocation.” Of the study, he says, “Our results indicate that the mortality burden of dementia may be greater than recognized, highlighting the importance of expanding dementia prevention and care.”The recent study appears in JAMA Neurology.The Health and Retirement Study provided the data for the new research.
Nationally representative data were collected from adults in the United States aged 70–99 as they moved into nursing homes.