Cognitive impairment and its associated health conditions in American Indian communities

This cross-sectional study examined cognitive impairment and its associations with health conditions among American Indian (AI) adults aged ≥55 residing in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and Northern Plains from 2019 to 2023. Subjective cognitive impairment was assessed using the adapted AD8, a culturally tailored eight-item measure to differentiate aging and dementia. Among 712 AI adults surveyed, 34.3% had cognitive impairment, with the highest proportion observed among those aged 55–59 (40.3%). Results from negative binomial regression indicated that distress [prevalence rate ratio (PRR) = 2.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.31–3.87)], head injury [PRR = 1.58, 95% CI: (1.00–2.51)], and diabetes [PRR = 1.59, 95% CI: (1.21–2.10)] were significantly associated with worse cognitive performance. Additionally, the findings suggest a high prevalence of cognitive impairment in this AI sample of convenience. Furthermore, associations between several health conditions and cognitive function differ by age groups. Early screening for cognitive impairment using tools like AD8 is recommended for AI adults.