Over 55 million people globally have dementia, a number projected to nearly triple by 2050. However, addressing 14 risk factors throughout life, starting in childhood, could prevent or delay almost half of these cases, according to a comprehensive report by 27 dementia experts published by The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care. This updated report adds high cholesterol and vision loss to the 12 previously identified risk factors, including less education, head injury, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, hearing loss, depression, air pollution, and infrequent social contact.

Dr. Gill Livingston, the report's lead author, emphasized the aim to provide reliable information and highlight research gaps to help individuals and governments. The new findings suggest that addressing the 14 risk factors could eliminate or delay 45% of dementia cases. The report underscores the critical need for policy and lifestyle changes, such as promoting quality education, reducing air pollution, and encouraging cognitively stimulating activities, regular exercise, and treatment for conditions like depression and high cholesterol. Public health leaders are urged to act on these recommendations to enhance brain health and reduce the global dementia burden.