How much of our dementia risk can we influence?

This important report from The Lancet Commission looks at the factors linked to dementia across the whole of life—from childhood education through to health and connection in later years.

What you’ll learn

The report identifies 14 potentially modifiable dementia risk factors, including:

• Limited access to education
• Hearing and vision loss
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Diabetes and obesity
• Smoking and excessive alcohol
• Physical inactivity
• Depression and social isolation
• Traumatic brain injury
• Air pollution

The report estimates that addressing these factors could prevent or delay a significant proportion of dementia cases. However, reducing risk does not guarantee that dementia will be prevented.

HEAL takeaway

Brain health is shaped over a lifetime. We cannot control every risk, but greater awareness gives us opportunities to protect our health, seek treatment and make positive changes at every age.

Explore the Lancet Commission’s dementia report here