Dementia Risk Begins Early – Lifelong Prevention Is Key

Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health, Francesca Farina and Laura Booi co-authored with Scott Chiesa an article published on The Conversation titled 'Dementia risk factors can start in childhood -prevention should be a lifelong goal'. The article emphasizes that dementia risk factors can begin as early as childhood, advocating for a lifelong approach to prevention. It highlights that modifiable factors—such as education, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices—play a significant role in reducing the risk of developing dementia later in life. The piece underscores the importance of early interventions and sustained healthy behaviors throughout one's life to mitigate these risks.

This perspective aligns with findings from the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia, which identifies 14 modifiable risk factors, including high LDL cholesterol and vision loss, and suggests that addressing these factors from an early age could prevent or delay nearly half of dementia cases . The report advocates for measures such as quality education, regular physical activity, cognitive engagement, and the use of hearing aids to reduce risk.

Overall, the article calls for a shift in public health strategies to focus on lifelong prevention, starting from childhood, to effectively combat the growing incidence of dementia.

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