One in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health throughout life, according to an international study in the Lancet. It lists nine key risk factors including lack of education, hearing loss, smoking and physical inactivity..
By 2050, 131 million people could be living with dementia globally. There are estimated to be 47 million people with the condition at the moment.
“Although dementia is diagnosed in later life, the brain changes usually begin to develop years before,” said lead author Prof Gill Livingston, from University College London. “Acting now will vastly improve life for people with dementia and their families and, in doing so, will transform the future of society.”
I – Word Understanding
Dementia – loss of memory and other mental abilities
Vastly – to a great extent
II – Have Your Say
Japan is facing a worsening health crisis where more of its aging population is expected to be diagnosed with dementia over the next several years. Let’s discuss these nine factors that contribute to the risk of dementia
* Mid-life hearing loss – responsible for 9% of the risk
* Failing to complete secondary education – 8%
* Smoking – 5%
* Failing to seek early treatment for depression – 4%
* Physical inactivity – 3%
* Social isolation – 2%
* High blood pressure – 2%
* Obesity – 1%
* Type 2 diabetes – 1%
622 Nine lifestyle changes can reduce dementia risk, study says
