New research suggests that preventing dementia can begin in childhood by addressing 14 key risk factors. Researchers say these measures could reduce the number of dementia cases worldwide.

The findings of this study, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia, highlight the economic benefits of large-scale preventive action.

The report, published in The Lancet, makes recommendations for governments to help reduce the risk of dementia.

The 14 risk factors identified include high cholesterol and vision loss, which together account for a large number of dementia cases.

The 2020 Lancet Commission had already identified 12 risk factors associated with 40% of all dementia cases: alcohol abuse, smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, air pollution, brain injury, physical inactivity, depression, social isolation, hearing loss and low levels of education.

The new report also includes high cholesterol (in 7% of cases) and vision loss (in 2% of cases).

Dementia, which affects memory, communication and thinking, is not a normal part of aging, although the risk increases with age.

The main types of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia (which can occur alongside Parkinson’s disease), frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia.

Due to rapid ageing of the global population, the number of people with dementia is expected to nearly triple by 2050, from 57 million in 2019 to 153 million. In low-income countries, the number of dementia cases is rising due to increases in life expectancy. The global economic impact of dementia is estimated to exceed $1 trillion annually.

The research highlights the importance of early prevention and comprehensive public health strategies to tackle the growing dementia crisis.