Report urges lifestyle awareness of Dementia risks

By The Press Association17th September 2014News EnglandDementia, News England, Older People

Health officials should run an “it’s never too late” campaign to make the public aware of lifestyle changes they could make to help stave off dementia, a new report suggests.

A number of factors can increase a person’s risk of dementia in later life and people should be encouraged to take steps to protect themselves, according to the report commissioned by Alzheimer’s Disease International, a body representing dozens of organisations from around the world.

The report authors, led by Professor Martin Prince from King’s College London, said that low education in early life, high blood pressure in midlife, and smoking and diabetes across the whole life can increase a person’s risk of developing dementia.

They wrote: “There is persuasive evidence that the dementia risk for populations can be modified through reduction in tobacco use and better control and detection for hypertension and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular risk factors. A good mantra is ‘What is good for your heart is good for your brain’.

“Brain health promotion messages should be integrated in public health promotion campaigns such as anti-tobacco or non-communicable disease awareness campaigns, with the message that it’s never too late to make these changes.

“If we can all enter old age with better developed, healthier brains we are likely to live longer, happier and more independent lives with a much reduced chance of developing dementia.”

A survey by healthcare provider Bupa, conducted on 8,500 people from six countries including 2,500 from the UK, also shows that many are unclear what steps they can take to reduce their risk of developing the condition, Alzheimer’s Disease International said.

Just over a sixth of people realised that social interaction with friends and family could impact on the risk. Only a quarter identified being overweight as a possible factor, and 23% said physical activity could affect the risk of developing dementia and losing their memories, the organisation said.

Commenting on the report Dr Eric Karran, director of research at charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Although there is currently no certain way to prevent dementia, this report underlines strong evidence suggesting we can lower our risk by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

“A large body of research has linked high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes to an increased risk of dementia, and this analysis serves as another reminder that good heart health is an important route to good brain health.

“Studies have also suggested that education in early life may help build a level of ‘cognitive reserve’, helping the brain to withstand the damage from diseases like Alzheimer’s for longer in later life.

“Importantly, this report highlights a need to understand better how to reduce the risk of dementia, which is why Alzheimer’s Research UK is committed to increasing investment in this area of research. With over 830,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and that number set to increase, research into prevention is a crucial component in tackling this growing crisis.”

George McNamara, head of policy at the charity Alzheimer’s Society said: “We can no longer ignore the growing mountain of evidence that in many cases lifestyle factors play a key role in the development of dementia.

“We have long known that what is good for your heart is good for your head, but it is becoming increasingly clear that as well as searching for a cure we need to address lifestyle factors to ultimately help prevent dementia where possible.

“By the next general election 850,000 people in the UK will have dementia and the staggering human cost of the condition is met by an economic burden of £26 billion.

“Anything we can do to make people aware of the role lifestyle factors can play in increasing risk not only makes sense to those people affected by it but could have real value to the economy.”