Social Determinants of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: The Mississippi Landscape

Authors

Kenneth R. Butler Jr., University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, The MIND CenterFollow
Denise Lafferty, University of Mississippi Medical Center, The MIND CenterFollow
Stacee B. Naylor, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of NursingFollow
Kimberly C. Tarver MD, University of Mississippi Medical Center, The MIND CenterFollow

Keywords

Alzheimer’s Disease, ADRD, social determinants of health, poverty, unemployment, educational and health literacy, discrimination, incarceration, community

Document Type

Commentaries

Abstract

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are those conditions in the environment where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, physical and cognitive functions, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Numerous social factors are significant contributors to the development and progression of various diseases. Recently, much attention has focused on assessing the impact of social factors on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The objective of this commentary is to describe and assess the SDOH that have been associated with increased risk of ADRD in the context of the social environment in Mississippi and includes economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, the neighborhood and built environment, and the social and community context. Questions addressed in this review speak to how social determinants of health influence the development of ADRD and what is being done to address and mitigate those social determinants in Mississippi. These findings will contribute a foundation to identify priority areas where social interventions can be implemented and have the highest impact on preventing or delaying the progression of ADRD. Mississippi has a population that will face growing challenges with ADRD as the population ages. Based on this review, Mississippi is progressing toward improving and mitigating the social aspects of health and preventing or delaying ADRD. The Goal Group Leaders and stakeholders of the State of Mississippi Strategic Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias 2020 – 2025 (State Plan) will incorporate the findings and evidence-based recommendations into strategies and priority activities of the State Plan.

Recommended Citation

Butler, K. R., Lafferty, D., Naylor, S. B., & Tarver, K. C. (2024). Social Determinants of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: The Mississippi Landscape. Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, 4(2), 2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2996-6833.1084