AIM:To examine variation in risk factors that contributed to dementia among four elderly cohorts by race and gender.METHODS:We examined 2008 Tennessee Hospital Discharged database for vascular factors that play a role in both stroke and dementia.Risk factors for dementia were examined for black and white patients aged 65+.Four race-gender groups of patients-white males(WM),black males(BM),white females(WF),and black females(BF)were compared for prevalence of dementia and stroke.A logistic model predicting dementia in each group separately used several vascular factors affecting dementia directly or indirectly through stroke.RESULTS:Three point six percent of patients hospitalized in 2008 had dementia and dementia was higher among females than males(3.9%vs 3.2%,P<0.001),and higher among blacks than whites(4.2%vs 3.5%,P<0.000).Further,BF had higher prevalence of dementia than WF(4.2%vs 3.8%,P<0.001);similarly BM had more dementia than WM(4.1%vs 3.1%,P<0.001).In logistic regression models,however,different patterns of risk factors were associated with dementia in four groups:among WF and WM,hypertension,diabetes,congestive heart failure,and stroke predicted dementia.Among BF and BM,only stroke and diabetes were related to dementia.CONCLUSION:Aggressive management of risk factors(hypertension and diabetes)may subsequently reduce stroke and dementia hospitalization.