Factors associated with decreasing prevalence of dementia in the community-dwelling elderly in suburban Tokyo

Yamamoto?s previous study showed that the prevalence of dementia in the community-dwelling elderly of 65 years and older in City A of Tokyo was decreasing during a six-year follow-up 2001-2007, suggesting that there should be some factors specific to City A. The purpose of this study is to clarify City A?s specific factors in decreasing prevalence of dementia. Health status of the analysis subjects was examined in terms of ratios of approval for long-term care insurance, proportions of the elderly who had a family dentist, habits of smoking and alcohol intake, educational attainment (years of education) and interest in health issues. The analysis results were discussed reviewing official statistics and the results of previous studies. The analysis subjects showed lower ratio of approval for long-term care insurance than City A?s and National statistics. More than 70% of them had a family dentist even in 2001. Proportions of smokers in male analysis subjects were decreasing over years. As for educational attainment, 38.9% had more than 13 years of education and 24.7% had more than 16 years in the 2004 survey. The higher educational attainment, interest in health and health literacy observed in the analysis subjects seem to have been specific factors which might have promoted their health status and contributed to decreasing the prevalence of dementia. Education might be a key to decrease the prevalence of dementia.