Share on Pinterest- Millions of people around the world are living with cognitive impairment associated with dementia.
- However, nearly half of dementia cases could potentially be prevented by addressing 14 risk factors.
- Experts say it’s important to address all these factors, as they work together to influence risk.
The World Health Organization
(WHO) explains that as of 2021, 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia
This condition, which impairs memory, thinking, and daily functioning, can be caused by various diseases that damage the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60%-70% of cases
According to a 2024 report from The Lancet Commissions
, almost half (45%) of dementia cases could potentially be prevented
The document also identifies 14 modifiable risk factors that can contribute to dementia prevention, including various behaviors, medical conditions, and social and environmental factors
Knowing these risk factors is an important step. However, a new study published on June 30, 2026, in The Lancet Healthy Longevity
, suggests that there is a gap between people knowing how to prevent dementia and actually putting those principles into practice
The authors note that while awareness campaigns can reach a large number of people, these efforts don’t tend to be particularly effective in motivating them. Interactive approaches led by trusted community members appear to be the most effective way to elicit change
Knowing your dementia risk factors is the first step in changing them
To help highlight the biggest modifiable risk factors, Healthline spoke with Laura Bojarskaite, PhD, a neuroscientist and sleep researcher at the University of Oslo
Bojarskaite, who was not involved in the report or the study, told Healthline that the research highlights “an important but often misunderstood message.”
Nearly half of dementia cases may be due to 14 risk factors, which people can often address with lifestyle changes. They include:
Early-life low education
“Education likely builds cognitive reserve, giving the brain greater resilience against age-related pathology,” she said. “Lifelong learning and cognitively stimulating activities may help maintain this reserve.”
Midlife hearing loss
Bojarskaite said that hearing loss can increase cognitive load, reduce social engagement, and accelerate brain atrophy
“Early hearing assessment and appropriate hearing aids are important interventions,” she said
High LDL cholesterol
“Elevated LDL contributes to vascular disease and may impair blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” she said. Diet, exercise, and medication as needed are important interventions
Depression
Pointing to the association between chronic stress, inflammation, sleep disruption, and changes in the brain’s hippocampus, Bojarskaite said early recognition and treatment are essential when it comes to depression
Traumatic brain injury
“Head injuries can trigger long-lasting neuroinflammation and increase the accumulation of pathological proteins linked to neurodegeneration,” she explained. Preventive measures include steps such as sports safety and fall prevention
Hypertension
“High blood pressure damages blood vessels throughout the body, including the brain, impairing blood flow and increasing the risk of vascular injury and dementia,” said Bojarskaite
The Alzheimer’s Society states that maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, limiting salt intake, reducing caffeine intake, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking can all help manage blood pressure
There are also effective medications available
Physical inactivity
“Exercise is one of the most powerful brain-health interventions we know,” Bojarskaite said. “Physical activity improves cardiovascular health, promotes neuroplasticity, and supports the growth and survival of neurons.”
Diabetes
“Chronically elevated blood glucose damages blood vessels and may impair insulin signaling in the brain, processes that have been linked to cognitive decline and dementia risk,” she said
The International Diabetes Federation notes the importance of managing your blood sugar if you have diabetes. They further state that certain diabetes medications may reduce dementia risk
Smoking
“Smoking increases oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular damage, all of which negatively affect brain aging,” Bojarskaite said
Quitting smoking can help reduce your risk
Obesity
Maintaining a healthy weight is also an important step. “Obesity is associated with metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which in turn affect brain health,” she explained
Excessive alcohol consumption
It’s also essential to moderate your alcohol intake. “High alcohol intake can damage neurons directly, disrupt sleep, and contribute to nutritional deficiencies and vascular disease,” Bojarskaite said
Later-life social isolation
Bojarskaite also noted the importance of social engagement in keeping your brain stimulated. “Loneliness and isolation are associated with faster cognitive decline and poorer mental and physical health,” she said
Untreated vision loss
On a related note, Bojarskaite said vision loss can also reduce your ability to socialize and engage cognitively with the world, making it essential to also treat any visual impairment if possible
Exposure to air pollution
Finally, Bojarskaite discussed the effects of air pollution
“Emerging evidence suggests that air pollution may contribute to neuroinflammation, vascular dysfunction, and the accumulation of pathological proteins associated with dementia,” she said
The Alzheimer’s Society adds that we do not yet know what levels of exposure contribute to risk
Addressing all risk factors is the best way to reduce dementia risk
Concluding her comments, Bojarskaite emphasized that these factors all work together in influencing your dementia risk
“For example, hearing loss may lead to social isolation and depression; physical inactivity increases the risk of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes; poor cardiovascular health often coexists with sleep disruption,” she said
However, the brain does remain plastic throughout your lifespan, offering hope for prevention
“While there is no single intervention that eliminates dementia risk, small improvements across multiple modifiable factors can meaningfully improve brain health and potentially reduce population-level dementia burden,” said Bojarskaite
