CONy 2022 | Assessing the increased risk of dementia and trauma in refugees

Both Jordan and San Diego in California border conflict areas and receive a high volume of refugees. Tala Al Rousan, MD, MPH, University of California, San Diego, CA, describes findings from a study assessing the health of refugees who have fled from Iraq and Syria to San Diego via Jordan. Their perceived risk of dementia increased and found their experiences comparable to that of an open air prison. Similarly to Holocaust survivors and veterans, the lack of education and increased exposure to trauma increased their risk to dementia, especially when in a refugee camp. This interview was conducted during the 2022 World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (CONy) meeting.