Nearly half of all dementia cases can be delayed or prevented entirely by addressing 14 risk factors, including vision loss and high cholesterol.
That is it The core of new discovery study This is what our colleagues and I published in the journal The Lancet.
idiotThe rapidly growing global problem affects an estimated 57 million people worldwide, and this number is expected to continue to grow. 153 million people worldwide by 2050. although The prevalence of dementia is decrease In high-income countries, it continues to The rise of low- and middle-income countries.
The third update report from the Lancet Dementia Commission provides good news and a powerful message: policymakers, clinicians, individuals and families can reduce their risk of dementia by being ambitious about prevention, and people with dementia and their carers can improve their quality of life by using evidence-based approaches.
The new report identifies 12 potentially modifiable risk factors identified in two previous reports. Published in 2017 and 2020. It also provides new evidence supporting two additional modifiable risk factors, including vision loss. High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levelsIt is often called “bad” cholesterol.
Our review of published evidence suggests that addressing all 14 modifiable risk factors could reduce dementia prevalence by up to 45% worldwide. Even greater risk reductions may be possible in low- and middle-income countries and in low-income populations in high-income countries. High prevalence of dementiaHealth disparities and risk factors in these populations.
The report also found that reducing these 14 risks could increase healthy life expectancy and reduce the number of years people with dementia spend in poor health.
The report also cites clinical trials showing that nonpharmacological approaches, such as using activities tailored to interests and abilities, are effective. Alleviate dementia-related symptoms and improve quality of life..
we are general physician, Applied sociologist, intervention scientistAnd our work focuses on memory and well-being in older adults, under the leadership of a psychiatrist and with 25 other internationally recognized dementia experts. Dr. Gil LivingstonWe carefully reviewed the evidence to derive recommendations for prevention, intervention, and treatment.
Why it matters
The rapid increase in the world’s aging population is a triumph for better public and individual health throughout life. However, given the lack of dementia treatments, this is The report highlights the importance prevention Supporting the quality of life of people diagnosed with dementia.
In a new report, our team proposes an ambitious programme to prevent dementia that can be implemented at the individual, community and policy levels and across the lifespan from early to mid-life and later. Key points include:
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Improve general education in childhood.
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In middle age, address hearing loss, high LDL cholesterol, depression, traumatic brain injury, lack of physical activity, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and excessive drinking.
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In older age, it can reduce social isolation, air pollution, and vision loss.
Uncorrected hearing loss is a significant and modifiable feature of aging in middle and old age, and can hasten brain decline. Modern hearing aids are easy to use and can help older adults maintain social bonds and reduce age-related cognitive decline. AlexRaths/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Combined, this equates to a 45% reduction in dementia risk, according to the Lancet Commission on Dementia. And a number of new studies show that addressing risk factors such as exposure to air pollution is linked to: Potential to improve cognitive function and reduce dementia risk.
In high-income countries, emerging evidence supports the notion that reducing dementia risk is associated with longer healthy lives, longer dementia-free years, and shorter periods of deteriorating health among people with dementia.
What is not yet known
The 45% reduction in dementia risk for the global population is based on calculations that assume risk factors are causal and can be eliminated. This shows how important dementia prevention is and what impact it will have on individuals and families.
The committee highlighted the need for further research to identify additional risk factors, test risk factor modifications in clinical trials, provide guidance for public health efforts, and identify and evaluate strategies to implement and scale evidence-based programs to support people with dementia and their caregivers.
The updated report has implications for public health and research worldwide and is widely disseminated. It serves as guidance for clinicians and policymakers and outlines new directions for research.
Eric B. Larson is an affiliate professor of medicine at the University of Washington UW School of Medicine. Laura Gitlin is Dean Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Nursing and Health Sciences at Drexel University.. This article was republished from conversation ~Below Creative Commons License. Read it Original article.
