According to a study, nearly half of dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed, as experts have identified 14 contributing factors.
The research, published in The Lancet, concluded that far more cases could be avoided or postponed than previously believed, according to 27 leading scientists in the field of dementia.
Addressing 14 modifiable risk factors, from childhood through old age, could prevent or delay 45% of dementia cases, according to scientists.
One researcher noted, “Individuals at every stage of life […] can take steps to lower their risk of developing the disease—which currently has no cure—or at least postpone its onset until later in life.”
The number of people living with dementia is projected to triple globally, reaching nearly 153 million by 2050.
Based on the latest available data, the report identifies two additional risk factors linked to 9% of dementia cases. Around 7% of cases are associated with high “bad” cholesterol in midlife, while 2% are attributed to untreated vision loss in later life.
Other contributing factors include low education levels, hearing loss, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, exposure to air pollution, and social isolation.
According to the research, global health and social costs related to dementia exceed $1 trillion annually.
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