Overall physical health and our brain health are intertwined in ways we don’t often think about. Diet and exercise are regularly in the spotlight, but have you ever thought of hearing and vision loss in relation to your brain health? According to medical journal The Lancet, there are at least 14 factors we can influence to help keep our brains in shape.
Dementia is a term for several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities (World Health Organization). With people living longer, the number of those living with dementia continues to rise, making it beneficial to focus on prevention and early intervention.
On group benefit plans, we see evidence of these intertwining factors, largely through drug plan use (e.g. use of anti-depressants, cholesterol and blood pressure medication, diabetes medication/supplies and obesity medication). By addressing factors that contribute to these diseases, the risk of dementia can be greatly reduced – up to 45%.
According to The Lancet, the 14 risk factors which, if modified, can reduce the risk of dementia are:
Early Life
1. Education: Good quality education in early life and lifelong learning reduces risk.
Midlife (Ages 40-65)
2. Hearing Loss: Untreated hearing loss is a significant risk factor.
3. High Blood Pressure: Poorly managed blood pressure increases risk.
4. Obesity: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial.
5. Smoking: Smoking significantly increases dementia risk.
6. Physical Inactivity: Regular exercise is vital for brain health.
7. Diabetes: Managing blood sugar levels is important.
8. High Cholesterol (LDL): Elevated LDL cholesterol is a risk factor.
9. Depression: Managing mental health, especially midlife depression, helps.
Late Life
10. Social Isolation: Staying connected reduces risk.
11. Air Pollution: Reducing exposure is beneficial.
12. Vision Loss: Untreated vision loss adds to risk.
13. Excessive Alcohol: Limiting alcohol intake is key.
14. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Protecting your head from injury lowers risk
Source: Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission
