A recent study published in the Lancet medical journal reveals that nearly half of all dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing key health issues such as vision and hearing loss, managing depression, and other modifiable risk factors.
This significant finding highlights actionable steps that could dramatically reduce the incidence of this debilitating condition.
As the global population ages, the number of individuals suffering from dementia is projected to nearly triple by 2050, soaring to a staggering 150 million people worldwide.
This rise accompanies an anticipated increase in associated costs, which are expected to exceed $1 trillion annually.
While dementia rates are on a decline in some high-income countries, they continue to escalate in lower and middle-income nations, where medical advancements and preventive care may not be as accessible.
The Lancet report, spearheaded by Gill Livingston, a prominent dementia specialist from University College London, outlines 14 actionable steps that health officials and physicians are urged to promote.
These measures include wearing head protection in contact sports to prevent brain injuries, controlling cholesterol levels, and even implementing widespread use of shingles vaccines, which have been linked to delayed onset of dementia according to a recent study in Nature Medicine
Moreover, the research highlights the disproportionate impact of environmental factors like wildfire smoke on elderly populations, particularly among Black and Asian communities.
The findings were presented at a recent conference in Philadelphia, where researchers also discussed the potential benefits of rigorous clean-air policies in mitigating dementia risk.
The study also touches on the economic implications of dementia, citing that the UK could save approximately £4 billion annually in healthcare and related costs by implementing these preventive strategies.
The potential benefits for lower-income countries are even more significant, especially in regions where public health policies such as smoking bans are less prevalent.
In addition to environmental and lifestyle modifications, recent pharmaceutical developments offer a glimmer of hope. New drugs like Leqembi by Eisai Co. and Kisunla by Eli Lilly & Co. have shown promise in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most common forms of dementia.
Additionally, a study on Novo Nordisk A/S’s diabetes drug Victoza suggested similar preventive effects on dementia, further underscoring the importance of medical innovation in combating this illness.
Livingston emphasizes the urgent need for governments to address these risk factors equitably, ensuring that healthy lifestyles are attainable for all, thus reducing risk inequalities.
Fiona Carragher, director of research at the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, also advocates for societal changes that support individuals in reducing their risk of dementia.
This study serves as a call to action for policymakers and the public to invest in preventive health strategies, potentially sparing millions from the ravages of dementia and alleviating the financial strain on healthcare systems globally.