New research suggests that there are 12 factors that increase the risk of dementia, but measures can be taken to reduce this risk.
- Experts add excessive alcohol intake and head injury in mid-life, and exposure to air pollution in later life to list of key modifiable risk factors for dementia – expanding number of preventable causes from 9 to 12 factors that span from childhood to later life.
- Report also highlights 9 recommendations for policymakers and individuals to help reduce risk, including providing primary and secondary education for all children, decreasing harmful alcohol drinking, preventing head injury, using hearing aids, protecting ears from high noise levels, and urgently improving air quality.
- The potential to prevent cases of dementia is high, and the biggest impact is likely to be seen in low- and middle-income countries where two-thirds of cases occur.
To address dementia risk, the authors call for 9 ambitious recommendations to be undertaken by policymakers and by individuals:
- Aim to maintain systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or less in midlife from around age 40 years.
- Encourage use of hearing aids for hearing loss and reduce hearing loss by protecting ears from high noise levels.
- Reduce exposure to air pollution and second-hand tobacco smoke.
- Prevent head injury (particularly by targeting high risk occupations and transport).
- Prevent alcohol misuse and limit drinking to less than 21 units per week.
- Stop smoking uptake and support individuals to stop smoking (which the authors stress is beneficial at any age).
- Provide all children with primary and secondary education.
- Lead an active life into mid, and possibly later life.
- Reduce obesity and diabetes
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