A new report from the Lancet Commission suggests that there are 14 health issues that can be reduced or eliminated to theoretically prevent nearly half of dementias in the world. Treating vision loss and high cholesterol are two ways in which people can reduce the chances of developing dementia. It is predicted that by 2050, the number of people with dementia will more than double to 153 million. People in middle age and poorer countries will benefit most from targeting these risk factors, according to the Lancet Commission’s latest report. The report highlights that it is never too early or too late to take action to reduce risk factors, noting that 45% of the risk factors that lead to dementia can be changed.
International experts believe that 45% of the risks linked to dementia can be changed and therefore can be reduced. The report by the Lancet Commission revealed a list of recommendations that countries around the world can focus on. These include making hearing aids more accessible for people with hearing loss, providing good-quality education for all, supporting people to stop smoking, encouraging people to exercise and play sport, reducing high blood pressure, treating high cholesterol from middle age, treating obesity early in life, reducing problem drinking, tackling social isolation or loneliness, screening for eyesight problems and giving glasses to those who require the treatment, and reducing exposure to air pollution.
The research indicates that some factors are more of a risk than others. For example, hearing loss and high cholesterol are responsible for most of the cases of preventable dementia (7% each). Health reports suggest that in early life, the balance is tipped by a lack of education while social isolation and failing eyesight are a big risk in older life. Researchers reported that a healthy lifestyle can boost brain resilience and prevent dementia. Most of an individual’s risk of developing dementia is beyond their control. However, living a healthy and active lifestyle can reduce these factors and decrease the risk of developing dementia.
In many health systems, impaired vision can be treated. However, this is more of a problem in low-income countries that do not have the same resources. It’s vital to tackle this issue, because as we age, the brain shrinks, and the loss of vision leads to reduced experiences and people going out less. Alzheimer’s Research UK found the report’s findings groundbreaking. Twelve years ago, dementia was something people could not combat. However, today, there are ways to prevent it from happening by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
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