New research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine reveals something surprising and important: the place where you live could have a big impact on your brain health and your chances of developing dementia.
The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging, found that people who live in areas with more pollution, poverty, and social stress show changes in their brain that are linked to a higher risk of dementia.
Researchers looked at information from 679 adults who took part in the Healthy Brain Study at the Wake Forest Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
These participants had brain scans and blood tests to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Then, the scientists compared those results to data about the neighborhoods where the participants lived, using three national tools that measure neighborhood conditions: the Area Deprivation Index, the Social Vulnerability Index, and the Environmental Justice Index.
These tools look at things like income levels, quality of housing, access to clean air, and how prepared a community is to handle emergencies or disasters.
The results were clear.
People who lived in areas with more social and environmental challenges had more signs of unhealthy brain changes.
These included a thinner outer layer of the brain (called the cerebral cortex), changes in white matter that are linked to blood vessel problems, and less stable blood flow to the brain. All of these brain differences can raise the risk of memory problems and cognitive decline in later life.
The effects were strongest in Black participants, who are more likely to live in neighborhoods with fewer resources and more pollution due to a history of racial and economic inequalities. This highlights the fact that health is not just about personal habits or genetics—it’s also shaped by the environment around us.
Dr. Timothy Hughes, a senior author of the study, explained that this research adds to the growing understanding that the social environment deeply influences brain health. In other words, the stress, pollution, and lack of opportunity in a neighborhood can leave a lasting mark on how the brain functions and ages.
Lead author Sudarshan Krishnamurthy, a medical and research student, said that the findings are especially important because they show a link between where people live and early biological signs of brain disease—even before any symptoms appear.
He believes that clean air, safe and stable housing, access to healthy food, and strong local economies aren’t just nice to have—they are essential to protecting brain health.
This study is a call to action for health policy makers and community leaders. If we want to lower the risk of dementia for everyone, we need to improve living conditions in neighborhoods that are currently struggling.
That means going beyond individual choices like diet or exercise and working to create healthier, safer, and more supportive communities for all.
The evidence is growing that a healthier neighborhood can mean a healthier brain. As science continues to reveal the powerful links between environment and health, studies like this remind us that where you live truly matters for how you live.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Early heart rhythm problem linked to higher dementia risk and findings of Green leafy vegetables may help reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Research shows an important cause of frontotemporal dementia and findings of New way to detect Lewy body disease early, a leading cause of dementia.
The study is published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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