An ongoing cohort study of 1,789 older Latinos. The goal of the study is to discover predictors of cognitive impairment, dementia and type 2 diabetes in older Latinos. Both social factors and biological determinants are considered. The Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging (SALSA) study participants are being followed for 30 chronic diseases, functional status, cognitive impairment and dementia. Prevalence of diabetes in this study is 30 percent; SALSA diabetics have a 2-fold higher risk of dementia and severe cognitive impairment than nondiabetics in this sample and 45 percent of demented cases are diabetics. SALSA diabetics also suffer from greater functional impairment, higher stroke risk and depressive symptoms.
For more information please contact: Mary Haan.