<img src="https://healthylife7.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/aol_wtvd_887.png” alt=”WTVD”>Bianca Holman
Sun, August 9, 2026 at 9:53 PM UTC
New research suggests that managing key health risks during middle age could significantly reduce the likelihood of developing dementia and may delay the condition by as much as 13 years
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 9% of North Carolina residents age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. As cases continue to rise nationwide, researchers say a new study offers encouraging news for younger generations
Researchers at NYU Langone Health analyzed data from more than 12,000 adults during approximately 26 years. Their findings, published in the journal Neurology Open Access, showed that people who maintained healthy blood pressure levels, avoided diabetes, and did not smoke between the ages of 48 and 68 lived nearly 13 years longer without dementia than those with all three risk factors
Neal Shah, founder of CareYaya, a caregiving support platform, said the findings highlight an important opportunity for prevention
‘A hidden pandemic’
“I recently gave a presentation on dementia to the North Carolina government, and I noted that over the next decade we’re going to have a 50% increase in people living with dementia,” Shah said. “Dementia is kind of like a hidden pandemic that’s happening in our society, and it’s partly driven by the aging population as well as some other factors.”
Dementia is a broad term used to describe a significant decline in cognitive function that affects memory, reasoning, behavior, and a person’s ability to perform everyday activities, according to the National Institute on Aging
The study tracked 12,409 adults with an average age of 56 who did not have dementia at the start of the research. During the study period, more than 3,000 participants developed dementia. Researchers found a strong association between vascular health and brain health, suggesting that addressing modifiable risk factors in midlife could have long-term benefits
For Shah, who has personal experience caring for a family member with dementia, the research offers hope
“I’ve been a dementia caregiver myself within my own family. I’ve helped thousands of caregivers deal with dementia for their loved ones,” Shah said. “It is absolutely heartbreaking what it does to the person who gets dementia as well as their entire family. The strain is just huge.”
Lifestyle changes seen as key
The findings align with previous guidance from the World Health Organization, which estimates that up to 45% of dementia cases may be linked to risk factors that can be modified through lifestyle changes. Shah said one of the most encouraging takeaways from the study is that genetics may not be the largest factor in determining a person’s dementia risk
“No matter what your genetic risk is, that’s not the majority of your risk,” Shah said. “The majority of your risk is things that you can modify and do. So I think that’s a really good thing.”
Health experts say programs focused on controlling blood pressure, preventing diabetes and reducing smoking rates could play an important role in lowering future dementia cases. The study does not prove that avoiding these risk factors directly prevents dementia, but researchers found a strong association between maintaining vascular health and remaining dementia-free for a longer period
Free Re
Several organizations across North Carolina offer free support and re
Project C.A.R.E. provides assistance and support for family caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Duke Dementia Family Support Program offers free services designed to help families navigate changes in memory and thinking
CareYaya provides caregiving rearing for loved ones with dementia
