Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) face an increased risk of developing dementia due to advanced age and modifiable risk factors. The 2024 Lancet Commission Report identified 14 such risk factors, whose mitigation could reduce dementia cases by 45%. Despite this, research on modifiable dementia risk factors among ADRD caregivers remains limited. This study investigates whether peer-reviewed studies utilizing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data assess modifiable dementia risk factors among ADRD caregivers. A PubMed search retrieved 27 relevant articles, which were analyzed for risk factors identified by the Lancet Commission, including traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, hypertension, smoking, and social isolation. Findings revealed a limited focus on v modifiable risk factors, with depression and physical health most frequently studied. This study highlights gaps in caregiver health research and emphasizes the need for public health efforts addressing dementia prevention among caregivers.
Disciplines
Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology | Cognitive Science | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Disability Studies | Public Health | Public Health Education and Promotion | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work
Publication Date
5-2025
Language
English
Faculty Mentor of Honors Project
Makenzie Whitener
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Ranjithkumar, Shruthi, "A REVIEW OF STUDIES ASSESSING MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS FOR DEMENTIA AMONG FAMILY CAREGIVERS IN THE UNITED STATES BASED ON BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORSURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (BRFSS)" (2025). 2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects. 25.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_spring2025/25
Included in
Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Cognitive Science Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Social Work Commons
Comments
This project was completed while working under the Health Survey Research Lab, Bachelor of Science in Public Health Program, Department of Kinesiology, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, and University of Texas at Arlington. I want to take this moment to express my gratitude to my mentor, Dr. Kindratt, for her constant guidance and encouragement, which were vital for the planning and implementation of this project. I am also deeply thankful to my research team members, whose collaboration, constructive criticism, and support made this possible. I sincerely thank the UTA Honors College for the opportunity to pursue this project as my Honors Capstone. Their support and flexibility allowed me to integrate my academic interests with meaningful research that reflects my passion for public health. I also extend my gratitude to my parents, whose unwavering belief in my dreams and persistent encouragement stayed with me motivated and directed through this research experience. I also appreciate the PubMed and UTA Summons Database, both of which were central to conducting expansive literature reviews and gaining access to the relevant scholarly articles that influenced and supported the foundation of this study. I also appreciate being provided with the opportunity to engage in productive research through this program and to all those who contributed directly or indirectly towards the completion of this project.