Researchers identify 14 key factors that can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Nearly Half of Dementia Cases Could Be Prevented or Delayed, Study Finds
A recent study has revealed that almost half of dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 key risk factors. With the global number of dementia cases expected to nearly triple to 153 million by 2050, this finding is crucial as it highlights a growing threat to health and social care systems. Currently, global health and social costs related to dementia exceed $1 trillion annually.
In a groundbreaking report published by The Lancet, 27 leading dementia experts concluded that many more cases could be avoided or delayed than previously thought. By addressing 14 modifiable risk factors from childhood through adulthood, up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed, even as life expectancy increases. These findings were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in the US.
Professor Gill Livingston, the lead author of the research, emphasized that there is much more that millions of people can do to reduce their risk of dementia. Speaking from the conference in Philadelphia, Livingston stated, “Many people around the world believe dementia is inevitable, but it’s not. Our report concludes that you can significantly increase the chances of not developing dementia or delaying its onset.”
Livingston also stressed that it’s never too early or too late to take action. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, can take steps to reduce their risk of developing dementia or at least delay its onset.
The report adds two new risk factors to the 12 identified by The Lancet commission in 2020. These new factors, which account for 9% of dementia cases, include high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in midlife and untreated vision loss in later life. The previously identified risk factors, which account for 36% of dementia cases, include lower levels of education, hearing impairment, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, air pollution, and social isolation.
The experts highlighted that nearly half of dementia cases could theoretically be prevented by eliminating these 14 risk factors, providing hope for the future. Additionally, reducing these risks not only increases years of healthy life but also shortens the period spent in ill health for those who develop dementia.
Livingston noted that adopting healthy lifestyles, such as regular exercise, not smoking, cognitive activity in midlife, and avoiding excessive alcohol, can lower dementia risk and delay its onset. This has significant quality-of-life implications and cost-saving benefits for societies.
One of the simplest ways to reduce dementia risk is to incorporate some form of exercise into daily routines, even if it’s just a walk or seated exercises for those who are mainly sedentary.
To further reduce dementia risk, The Lancet commission made 13 recommendations, including making hearing aids available for those with hearing loss, reducing harmful noise exposure, and detecting and treating high cholesterol from around the age of 40.
Additional Recommendations and Economic Impact
Other recommendations include ensuring accessible screening and treatment for vision impairment for everyone, providing children with high-quality education, and encouraging cognitive activity during midlife.
In a separate study published in the Lancet Healthy Longevity journal, researchers modeled the economic impact of implementing some of these recommendations, using England as an example. They found that public health interventions addressing these risk factors could save £4 billion by reducing dementia rates and helping people live longer, healthier lives.
Fiona Carragher, the chief policy and research officer at Alzheimer’s Society, which part-funded the study, stated, “Some dementia risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and physical exercise, can be managed by changing your lifestyle, but many must be addressed on a societal level. Social isolation, education inequalities, and air pollution are beyond individuals’ control and require public health interventions and joint action between government and industry.”
Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, the executive director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, which also helped fund the research, cautioned that age and genetics remain the biggest risk factors for dementia. However, she noted that the identification of several other health and lifestyle factors is “good news” because it provides a “huge opportunity” for individuals and governments to implement preventive measures to reduce the devastating impact of dementia on society and loved ones in the future.