There’s a Region in the U.S. With Unusually High Rates of Dementia, and Researchers Are Concerned
In South Texas, families are watching loved ones lose their grip on memory faster than expected. Across small towns and border communities, dementia has become more common than anywhere else in the country. The change is drawing national attention, and scientists are also trying to understand why it’s happening and how to stop it.
A Growing Concern in South Texas
Along the Rio Grande Valley, counties such as Starr and Hidalgo report some of the highest dementia rates in the United States. Roughly one in five residents over 65 shows signs of cognitive decline, nearly twice the national average. The numbers have puzzled researchers, and they call it an underrecognized public health issue that deserves urgent focus.
Texas ranks fourth nationwide for Alzheimer’s cases and second for deaths caused by Alzheimer’s. Still, the sharp rise in South Texas stands out. Many residents are undiagnosed because access to consistent healthcare remains limited, which means the real figures may be higher than official estimates suggest.
Researchers at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are examining the region’s mix of health, environment, and genetics to understand the trend. Dr. Gladys Maestre and her team at the South Texas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center believe multiple causes are working together rather than a single source.
High rates of diabetes and heart disease in the area are known risk factors. Economic hardship and scarce healthcare resources make prevention and early treatment more difficult. Environmental factors such as air quality, heat exposure, and chronic stress may also play a role.
The Human Toll
Families are carrying much of the weight, as adult children often become caregivers for aging parents. Some have to leave jobs or rearrange their lives to manage medical appointments and daily routines. In close-knit households, a diagnosis can affect several generations.
To ease that burden, clinics and community groups are training volunteers to recognize early warning signs. Early detection can delay decline and give patients better access to support, but many residents still avoid care because memory loss carries stigma. Discussing dementia remains uncomfortable in some communities, so families often wait until symptoms become severe.
The state has begun directing funds toward dementia education and research centers in South Texas, including a clinic in Laredo that received $1.4 million to expand its work. Progress is slow, and experts warn that as the population ages, healthcare systems could face mounting strain if prevention and treatment options do not improve.
The Rio Grande Valley is now seen as a national case study in how environment, income, and public health access shape long-term brain health. Researchers hope their findings will guide new strategies across the country and bring relief to families facing this growing challenge.