A landmark report from The Lancet Commission reveals that nearly half of all dementia cases worldwide could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 key risk factors. This comprehensive study, involving 27 world-leading dementia experts, underscores the urgent need for both individual and governmental action to mitigate these risks throughout a person’s lifetime.
The report highlights that early intervention is crucial. Risk factors such as hearing impairment and high LDL cholesterol are responsible for 7% of global dementia cases each. Other significant factors include lack of education in early life and social isolation in later years, each contributing to 5% of cases.
Current projections estimate 153 million people will be living with dementia by 2050.
Nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by tackling 14 risk factors starting in childhood, suggests new report from a standing Lancet Commission: https://t.co/ZFRBBbIfdZ pic.twitter.com/fRA8WYcUVH
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) July 31, 2024
The Commission calls for a range of preventive measures, starting in childhood and continuing through adulthood. These include providing quality education, promoting cognitive activities, ensuring access to hearing aids, treating high cholesterol and vision impairment, effectively managing depression, and encouraging the use of helmets in sports to prevent head injuries. Additionally, policies to reduce air pollution, smoking, and the sugar and salt content in food are recommended.
In the context of the aging global population, the number of people living with dementia is expected to nearly triple from 57 million in 2019 to 153 million by 2050. This surge is particularly concerning in low- and middle-income countries, where rapid aging and increased rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are expected to drive up dementia cases.
Almost half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed, study finds https://t.co/cPDXzXyNEg
— Guardian Science (@guardianscience) July 31, 2024
The economic impact of implementing these preventive measures could be substantial. A separate study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal suggests that population-level interventions to tackle dementia risk factors could save England alone up to £4 billion, while improving the quality of life for tens of thousands.
Professor Gill Livingston of University College London, a lead author of the report, emphasizes that healthier lifestyles involving regular exercise, non-smoking, cognitive activities in midlife, and moderate alcohol consumption can significantly reduce the risk of dementia. These measures not only delay the onset of dementia but also reduce the duration individuals live with the condition, offering substantial quality-of-life benefits and cost savings for societies.
The report also notes promising advances in dementia research, particularly in blood biomarkers and anti-amyloid β antibodies for Alzheimer's disease. These developments could enhance the diagnosis and treatment of dementia, although further research is needed to understand their long-term effects.
Despite these advancements, the report stresses that many effective interventions for people with dementia are not widely available, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The authors call for more support for people living with dementia and their caregivers, including emotional support, future planning, and access to community-based resources.
As the global community grapples with the rising tide of dementia, this report provides a clear roadmap for prevention and care, emphasizing the importance of early and sustained action to reduce the burden of this debilitating condition.
