The latest report published by the Lancet Commission for dementia prevention, including 27 authors of whom are world-leading dementia experts, emphasizes 14 risk factors that can be addressed to eliminate half of dementia cases, through a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The researchers reaffirmed 12 modifiable risk factors from the 2020 report: air pollution, depression, diabetes, excessive alcohol use, hearing loss, hypertension, lower education levels, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, social isolation, and traumatic brain injury. New evidence supports adding high LDL cholesterol and vision loss to this list, thus bringing the total to 14 controllable risk factors.

Based on their findings, the researchers proposed 13 recommendations for individuals and governments to help prevent dementia:

1. Ensure children have access to good-quality education and encourage cognitive activities in midlife.
2. Reduce harmful noise exposure and make hearing aids accessible for those with hearing impairment.
3. Treat depression.
4. Promote helmet use and other head protection during contact sports and cycling.
5. Encourage regular exercise.
6. Reduce smoking through education and policies that control cigarette costs.
7. Prevent or reduce high blood pressure.
8. Diagnose and treat high LDL cholesterol.
9. Maintain a healthy weight and address obesity early.
10. Control excessive alcohol use through price regulation and awareness campaigns.
11. Combat social isolation by encouraging social activities and creating age-friendly, supportive communities.
12. Ensure access to vision screening and treatment.
13. Decrease air pollution exposure.

The author emphasized that addressing risk factors early in life is ideal, but reducing dementia risk is beneficial at any stage. It’s never too early or too late to take action.

Their report was published in The Lancet and presented at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.

G Livingston et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0