It’s a place known for its roots in hip-hop, rap, and the Yankees. The Bronx boasts beautiful gardens and parks amidst a population of 1.4 million, with a wide range of authentic Puerto Rican, Italian, and Mexican eateries lining the streets. Surprisingly, it also holds the title of America’s Alzheimer’s capital.
With the highest rate of Alzheimer’s disease in the nation, the Bronx shares this unfortunate distinction with Baltimore and Miami. About one in six adults over 65 in this New York City borough are diagnosed, which is significantly higher than the national average of one in ten.
Researchers attribute the Bronx’s status as an Alzheimer’s hotspot to its persistent poverty levels, which have historically been above the national average, and a large minority demographic that is more susceptible to the disease. Additionally, the area faces the highest rates of food insecurity in New York City, leading to dietary choices that include ultraprocessed foods, which have been linked to harmful brain inflammation.
To address these issues, healthcare providers in the Bronx have introduced a four-week pilot program inspired by the practices of Ikaria, a small Greek island known for its high longevity rates.
Ikaria is one of five designated Blue Zones, where residents often live into their 80s, 90s, or even beyond. For instance, around one in three Ikarians reach the age of 90. A notable example is Stamatis Moraitis, who defied a terminal lung cancer diagnosis at age 66, living an additional 45 years after returning to Ikaria.
In contrast, people in the Bronx typically live to about 81, which, although higher than the national average, is the lowest among New York City’s five boroughs.
The Bronx initiative, referred to as the ‘Blue Zones Challenge,’ aims to engage a diverse group of 100 residents across different ages and backgrounds. Participants simply need to live in the Bronx and are encouraged to incorporate more Mediterranean diet staples like salmon and leafy greens. The goal isn’t to reverse Alzheimer’s risk in just a month but rather to instill lasting healthy habits.
Dr. Edward Cisek, a key figure in the program, emphasized that significant changes aren’t expected overnight. The aim is, instead, to facilitate a foundation for healthier lifestyles. The challenge will continue until May 27, 2025, and results will be shared in the following month.
The research team hopes to see if residents experience positive changes, such as weight loss or increased energy, and aspirations to expand this initiative throughout New York City.
Currently, nearly 7 million Americans over 65 live with Alzheimer’s, the most commonly recognized form of dementia. New York state has nearly 13 percent of its elderly population diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, ranking third in the nation behind Washington, D.C., and Maryland, which translates to about 427,000 individuals.
In the Bronx, 17 percent of adults over 65—approximately 35,700 people—have been diagnosed. This exceeds the national figure of 11 percent. A 2023 report from the Alzheimer’s Association suggests that demographics in the Bronx play a significant role. Current census data indicates that a substantial portion of residents—57 percent Hispanic and 28 percent Black—are at a higher risk, with Black Americans over 65 being more than twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s compared to their white counterparts.
Several factors compound this issue, including higher rates of cardiovascular diseases prevalent in Black and Hispanic communities, which can damage blood vessels and, in turn, lead to conditions like vascular dementia. Diabetes, occurring twice as frequently among Black adults, further exacerbates these risks by weakening brain blood vessels and inducing inflammation.
On another note, the Bronx is also one of the most impoverished urban areas in the U.S., with 28 percent of its inhabitants below the poverty line compared to the national average of 11 percent. The median household income in 2022 was about $47,260, significantly lower than the national figure of $80,610.
These socioeconomic challenges often result in reliance on inexpensive, ultraprocessed foods that are laden with unhealthy fats, sugars, and additives. Such diets have been shown to promote inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially leading to Alzheimer’s as free radicals damage brain cells and encourage the formation of toxic proteins.
On the contrary, Ikarians enjoy a notably lower Alzheimer’s risk at one in ten among those over 85. Sadly, Americans of the same age have three times the likelihood of developing the disease compared to their counterparts in Ikaria, which also benefits from a much lower heart disease rate.
This commendable life expectancy in Ikaria is largely attributed to a traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains, which is known for its health benefits. Studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids in these diets can help lower inflammation and protect brain health.
The Blue Zones Challenge in the Bronx aims to encourage lifestyle changes closely aligned with these healthy eating patterns. Eleonora Tornatore-Mikesh, CEO of CaringKind, highlights research indicating that addressing 14 key lifestyle factors can reduce dementia risk by around 40 percent. These factors include obesity, inactivity, and dietary habits.
Dr. Anderson Torres, who is participating in this initiative, has reported positive changes, including weight loss and improved blood sugar levels since adopting healthier practices. The sixty-day journaling period is designed to inspire lasting changes among participants.
The challenge’s structure encourages residents to be mindful about their eating patterns, gradually substituting unhealthy foods for nutritious ones. As Dr. Cisek pointed out, these changes are most effective when undertaken as a community, promoting solidarity and mutual support during this transformative process.
Ultimately, the aim is to build a foundation for healthier lifestyles, advocating for a “full Blue Zone” approach to health in the Bronx, and perhaps beyond.
