World Alzheimer Report 2014 Reveals Persuasive
Evidence For Dementia Risk Reduction
Dementia
risk for populations can be modified through tobacco control and better
prevention, detection and control of hypertension and diabetes.
The World Alzheimer Report 2014
‘Dementia and Risk Reduction: An
analysis of protective and modifiable factors’, released today, calls for
dementia to be integrated into both global and national public health
programmes alongside other major non communicable diseases (NCDs).
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) commissioned a team of researchers,
led by Professor Martin Prince from King’s College London, to produce the
report. ADI is publishing this report, in conjunction with World Alzheimer's
Day™ (21 September) and as a part of World Alzheimer’s Month, an international
campaign to raise awareness and challenge stigma.
The report reveals that control of diabetes and high blood pressure as well
as measures to encourage smoking cessation and to reduce cardiovascular risk,
have the potential to reduce the risk of dementia even in late-life. The report
found that diabetes can increase the risk of dementia by 50%. Obesity and lack
of physical activity are important risk factors for diabetes and hypertension,
and should, therefore, also be targeted.
While cardiovascular health is improving in many high income countries, many
low and middle income countries show a recent pattern of increasing exposure to
cardiovascular risk factors, with rising rates of diabetes, heart disease and
stroke.
Smoking cessation is strongly linked in the report with a reduction in
dementia risk. For example, studies of dementia incidence among people aged 65
years and over show that ex-smokers have a similar risk to those who have never
smoked, while those who continue to smoke are at much higher risk.
Furthermore, the study revealed that those who have had better educational
opportunities have a lower risk of dementia in late-life. Evidence suggests
that education has no impact on the brain changes that lead to dementia, but
reduces their impact on intellectual functioning.
The evidence in the report suggest that if we 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. Brain
health promotion is important across the life span, but particularly in
mid-life, as changes in the brain can begin decades before symptoms appear.
The study also urges NCD programs to be more inclusive of older people, with
the message that it’s never too late to make a change, as the future course of
the global dementia epidemic is likely to depend crucially upon the success or
failure of efforts to improve global public health, across the population.
Combining efforts to tackle the increasing global burden of NCDs will be
strategically important, efficient and cost effective. Leading a healthier
lifestyle is a positive step towards preventing a range of long-term diseases,
including cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
However, survey data released by Bupa* has shown that many people are
unclear about the causes and actions they can take to potentially reduce their
risk of dementia. Just over a sixth (17%) of people realised that social
interaction with friends and family could impact on the risk. Only a quarter
(25%) identified being overweight as a possible factor, and only one in five
(23%) said physical activity could affect the risk of developing dementia and
losing their memories. The survey also revealed that over two thirds (68%) of
people surveyed around the world are concerned about getting dementia in later
life.
Professor Martin Prince, from King’s College London’s Institute of
Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and author of the report, commented:
“There is already evidence from several studies that the incidence of dementia
may be falling in high income countries, linked to improvements in education
and cardiovascular health. We need to do all we can to accentuate these trends.
With a global cost of over US$ 600 billion, the stakes could hardly be higher.”
Marc Wortmann, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Disease International said:
“From a public health perspective, it is important to note that most of the
risk factors for dementia overlap with those for the other major non
communicable diseases (NCDs). In high income countries, there is an increased
focus on healthier lifestyles, but this is not always the case with lower and
middle income countries. By 2050, we estimate that 71% of people living with
dementia will live in these regions, so implementing effective public health
campaigns may help to reduce the global risk.”
Professor Graham Stokes, Global Director of Dementia Care, Bupa, said:
“While age and genetics are part of the disease’s risk factors, not smoking,
eating more healthily, getting some exercise, and having a good education,
coupled with challenging your brain to ensure it is kept active, can all play a
part in minimising your chances of developing dementia. People who already have
dementia, or signs of it, can also do these things, which may help to slow the
progression of the disease.”
About Alzheimer’s Disease International
ADI is the international federation of 84 Alzheimer associations around the
world, in official relations with the World Health Organization. ADI's vision
is an improved quality of life for people with dementia and their families
throughout the world. ADI believes that the key to winning the fight against
dementia lies in a unique combination of global solutions and local knowledge.
As such, it works locally, by empowering Alzheimer associations to promote and
offer care and support for people with dementia and their carers, while working
globally to focus attention on dementia and campaign for policy change from
governments. For more information, visit
www.alz.co.uk
About King’s College London
King's College London is one of the top 20 universities in the world
(2013/14 QS World University Rankings) and the fourth oldest in England. It is
The Sunday Times 'Best University for Graduate Employment 2012/13'. King's has
nearly 26,000 students (of whom more than 10,600 are graduate students) from
some 140 countries worldwide, and more than 7,000 staff. The College is in the
second phase of a £1 billion redevelopment programme which is transforming its
estate.
King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and
cutting-edge research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British
universities, 23 departments were ranked in the top quartile of British
universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in
the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world
leading. The College is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings
and has an overall annual income of nearly £590 million.
www.kcl.ac.uk
About Bupa
Bupa’s purpose is longer, healthier, happier lives.
As a leading international healthcare group, we offer health insurance and
medical subscription products, run care homes, retirement villages, hospitals,
primary care centres and dental clinics. We also provide workplace health
services, home healthcare, health assessments and long-term condition
management services.
We have over 22 million customers in 190 countries. With no shareholders, we
invest our profits to provide more and better healthcare and fulfil our
purpose.
We employ more than 70,000 people, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain,
Poland, New Zealand and Chile, as well as Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, India, Thailand,
and the USA.
Bupa is the largest international provider of specialist dementia care,
caring for more than 24,000 residents with dementia. For more information,
visit
www.bupa.com
