Dementia is one of the most pressing public health concerns of our time. As many as one in ten adults over 65 live with some form of dementia, and by 2030, nearly 9 million Americans are projected to be affected by dementia. Is your area raising? While much of the conversation around dementia has focused on genetics, aging, and lifestyle, new research reveals something surprising: where you live in the United States could increase your risk by up to 25%.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology analyzed data from more than 1.2 million older veterans in the VA health system between 1990 and 2021. Researchers found striking geographic disparities in dementia diagnoses. Some regions, such as the Southeast and Rocky Mountain areas, reported dementia rates 23–25% higher than the Mid-Atlantic baseline, while regions like the Great Lakes and Northeast saw increases of 7–12% dementia – is your area raising?
So, what’s driving these differences? And more importantly, what can you do to protect your brain health, regardless of your ZIP code?
Why Geography Matters
The study stopped short of naming a single cause, but the authors suggested a range of contributing factors:
- Education and early-life conditions: Access to quality schooling has long been linked with long-term cognitive resilience.
- Environmental exposures: Air pollution, industrial toxins, and poor water quality can all impact brain health.
- Structural inequities: Economic stressors, labor conditions, and systemic racism can shape health outcomes across generations.
- Health care access: Some regions diagnose dementia more frequently because of better screening, while others may underdiagnose due to fewer resources.
One startling case is Starr County, Texas, near the Mexican border, where dementia rates are nearly double the national average. Researchers suspect that a mix of poverty, environmental exposures, and limited health care may be driving the trend.
At ImmerHealth, we’ve written extensively on how environmental and lifestyle factors affect the brain. Our blog on toxins in American water systems and their connection to neurological health highlights how pollutants commonly found in drinking water—including herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals—are linked to cognitive decline. This connects directly to one of our core recommendations: invest in high-quality water filtration and ionization systems. Products like the systems that improve water quality, air quality, and interrupt electromagnetic waves, help reduce exposure to contaminants and optimize water pH, which is crucial for long-term brain health.
Dementia Risk Is Not Destiny
While regional disparities are real, the good news is that you are not powerless. According to the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, up to 45% of dementia cases are preventable through lifestyle and environmental interventions.
Here are the 14 key strategies to reduce your risk, along with actionable ways to apply them:
1. Complete Your Education
Staying in school longer builds what scientists call “cognitive reserve.” But lifelong learning doesn’t stop at graduation. Consider taking online courses, reading challenging books, or learning new skills as you age.
👉 See our blog on brain exercises and neuroplasticity, which explains how consistent learning strengthens neural pathways.
2. Address Hearing Loss
Untreated hearing loss is a leading risk factor for dementia. If you need a hearing aid, don’t delay. Even small improvements in hearing can reduce cognitive strain.
3. Lower Cholesterol
High cholesterol contributes to vascular problems, which in turn affect brain blood flow. Pair a brain-healthy diet with exercise to keep your numbers in check.
4. Treat Depression
Depression isn’t just a mood disorder; it’s a brain health risk. Seek professional treatment early. Herbal supports like St. John’s wort may help, but always work with a provider.
5. Prevent Traumatic Brain Injury
Falls, accidents, and sports-related injuries can have long-term impacts. Wear helmets, use seatbelts, and fall-proof your home.
6. Stay Physically Active
Aim for at least 75 minutes of aerobic activity weekly. Low-impact exercise equipment such as Pilates reformers, rebounders, and vibration platforms not only protect your joints but also stimulate circulation and neurotrophic growth. These tools align perfectly with our ImmerHealth shop offerings, where you can find premium, low-impact options for safe movement into your later years.
7. Manage Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes significantly increases dementia risk. Blood sugar management is non-negotiable. We’ve explored this in our nutrition for brain longevity blog, highlighting how diet and hydration affect both insulin resistance and cognitive health.
8. Quit Smoking
The toxins in cigarette smoke damage blood vessels and neurons. Quitting is the single best step you can take to slow brain aging.
9. Control High Blood Pressure
Hypertension silently harms the vascular system, including the brain’s microcirculation. Natural strategies like hibiscus tea, magnesium, and potassium-rich foods are supportive additions.
10. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight stresses the cardiovascular system and accelerates inflammation. Focus on anti-inflammatory eating patterns—see our post on the Carnivore Lifestyle for a contrarian yet effective strategy.
11. Moderate Alcohol Intake
If you drink, do so sparingly. Chronic heavy drinking is strongly correlated with cognitive decline.
12. Avoid Social Isolation
Loneliness is now recognized as a public health crisis. In fact, social isolation increases dementia risk by nearly 60%. Our blog on the role of community in healthy aging shows how intentional social engagement preserves cognition.
13. Protect Your Vision
Vision loss contributes to reduced independence and higher dementia risk. Regular eye exams and preventive eye care are essential.
14. Reduce Air Pollution Exposure
Monitor your local Air Quality Index and stay indoors during wildfire smoke events or poor air days. Air purification devices and water filtration and ionization systems can help reduce both particulate exposure and oxidative stress at home.
The Bigger Picture: Lifestyle + Environment = Brain Longevity
Brain longevity is about more than avoiding dementia; it’s about optimizing how you think, remember, and connect with others for as long as possible. At ImmerHealth, our mission is to provide tools, insights, and products that make this possible.
In our book The Brain Longevity Blueprint, we outline a comprehensive plan to:
- Identify and reduce environmental brain stressors.
- Optimize diet, hydration, and exercise.
- Incorporate herbal and naturopathic supports.
- Foster resilience through social and spiritual practices.
This isn’t about moving away from “hot spots” or avoiding risk factors entirely. It’s about stacking the deck in your favor by taking consistent, proactive steps.
Practical Steps You Can Start Today
- Audit your environment: Check water quality reports, air quality indexes, and toxin exposures in your home.
- Upgrade your hydration: Consider Enagic or Multipure systems for pure, ionized water that supports cellular health.
- Move daily: Even a rebounder session in your living room counts.
- Engage your brain: Start a puzzle habit, join a book club, or learn a language.
- Stay connected: Schedule weekly social activities, even if virtual.
- Protect your sleep: Quality rest enhances memory consolidation and cellular repair.
- Improve air quality: Consider the 4-pack, portable Kangen Air to purify your air as close to your consumption of it as possible.
- Interrupt electromagnetic frequencies: Consider the emGuarde to reduce EMF in your proximity while still using your devices.
Final Thoughts
Geography may shape dementia risk, but it doesn’t dictate your future. Whether you live in a region with lower rates like the Mid-Atlantic or in a higher-risk zone such as the Southeast, you can take tangible steps today to protect your brain.
By combining cutting-edge science with timeless practices—hydration, movement, herbal support, and community—you can safeguard cognitive vitality well into your later years.
✨ Take the next step toward a sharper, healthier brain:
- Get your copy of The Brain Longevity Blueprint.
- Explore brain-boosting tools and water systems today.
Your brain is your most valuable asset. Protect it—wherever you live.
References
- Bieber, C. & Kennedy, E. (2025). Dementia Hot Spots: Is Your Region Raising Your Risk? Kiplinger.
- Livingston, G. et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446.
- Holt-Lunstad, J. et al. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237.
- ImmerHealth.co Blogs on Brain Health.
