Rio Grande City may look like a quiet, dusty town near the Texas-Mexico border — but beneath the surface, it’s grappling with a devastating public health crisis that few are talking about.
This city of just over 15,000 people has one of the highest rates of dementia in the entire United States.
In fact, around 1 in 4 residents over the age of 65 is living with the condition — more than double the national average.
Dementia Isn’t Just a Statistic Here — It’s Personal
For families in Rio Grande City and surrounding Starr County, dementia is not some distant medical issue.
It’s close, real, and all too common.
Many locals say they know at least one person in their family battling memory loss or Alzheimer’s.
According to Dr. Gladys Maestre, a neurologist and director of a dementia research program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the actual number of people affected is likely much higher than reported.
A large portion of the population lacks health insurance, so many cases go undiagnosed or unrecorded.
She explains, “Access to healthcare is limited here. I’ve seen patients in their 50s already showing signs of dementia.
What we’re seeing now is probably just the beginning.”
Poverty and Health: A Tough Combination
So what’s causing such alarmingly high dementia numbers in Starr County?
Dr. Maestre points to poverty as one of the leading culprits.
Roughly 30 percent of the area’s population lives below the poverty line — that’s more than twice the national average.
Lower incomes and under-resourced neighborhoods often mean fewer opportunities for physical activity, less access to fresh food, and limited healthcare — all of which contribute to declining brain health.
Social isolation, limited public transportation, and ongoing stress also play a role in worsening mental health and cognitive decline.
Environmental Toxins Could Be Fueling the Problem
Another piece of the puzzle may be hiding in the very homes and water many residents rely on.
Dr. Maestre says that harmful toxins like arsenic and cadmium have been detected in local water supplies and older buildings — many dating back to the 1800s.
These substances have been linked to memory issues, especially in children and adolescents, and can also contribute to the development of dementia over time.
Cadmium, a carcinogen often released by industrial or farming activities, is especially dangerous, she notes.
Heat Waves and Brain Health: An Overlooked Danger
It’s no secret that southern Texas can get brutally hot.
In Starr County, summer temperatures regularly soar above 99°F (37°C).
That heat may be doing more than just making people uncomfortable — it could be harming their brains.
Studies have shown that extreme heat increases hospitalizations and deaths among people with dementia.
High temperatures can overstress the body, leading to confusion and worsening cognitive decline.
One large-scale study even found that a 1.5°C increase in temperature triggered a 12% rise in hospital admissions for dementia patients.
A Community Already at Greater Risk
There’s one more key factor: ethnicity. Starr County is a majority Hispanic community, and studies show that Hispanic individuals are 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia than non-Hispanic white individuals.
The reasons are complex but include higher rates of cardiovascular issues, socioeconomic disadvantages, and possible genetic predispositions — all of which add to the burden.
A Family Affair for Local Doctors
Dr. James Falcon, a former soldier who now practices medicine in Rio Grande City, knows the issue all too well.
He and his father, also a doctor, see dementia patients daily at their clinic.
“Every one of us working here knows someone personally affected,” he said in a past interview.
“This has touched every corner of our community.”
A Volunteer’s Heartfelt Mission
The crisis has inspired volunteers like Mayra Garza, who works on Alzheimer’s research at the Falcons’ clinic.
For her, it’s deeply personal.
“Both of my parents have had Alzheimer’s,” she shares. “Understanding why this keeps happening to families like mine is important.”
Real-Life Consequences That Can’t Be Ignored
Just this month, the community was shaken by the discovery of an 84-year-old woman who had gone missing in nearby Roma.
She was later found dead, and authorities confirmed she had dementia and Alzheimer’s — likely contributing to her getting lost and disoriented.
Dr. Maestre says these stories are heartbreaking but avoidable — if the right steps are taken.
“This is a perfect storm,” she explains.
“You’ve got pollution, extreme heat, isolation, poverty, and early life adversity all combining to make the brain more vulnerable.”
A Glimmer of Hope Through New Funding
There might be some light on the horizon.
Just last week, the Texas House passed a bill to create a $3 billion research fund focused on dementia.
If approved, the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas would help fund studies and bring together experts across the state to tackle the issue with better tools and stronger collaboration.
For now, Starr County remains a stark example of how environmental, economic, and social issues can collide in ways that deeply affect the mind — and the heart — of an entire community.