One third of dementia cases may be preventable.

Millions of persons around the globe suffer from some form of dementia. In Canada, it’s estimated that close to a million people will be affected by just Alzheimer’s disease within the next 15 years. These statistics point to a public health issue that requires further investigation and education. A recent international study has concluded that up to one third of dementia cases worldwide might be preventable.

Hearing loss treatment was found to be the second of the three most common factors in preventing dementia.

Knowing the factors that increase the chances of dementia is a critical step in developing approaches to manage this emerging public health issue. The study’s lead investigator, Professor Gill Livingston, stated in an interview with CBS News, “Dementia is the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century.” The study, published in The Lancet, gathered international experts to review existing dementia research and provide recommendations for treatment and prevention. Several factors were found that can contribute to dementia including early childhood education level, hearing loss, blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise, smoking, depression and the degree of social interactions, particularly later in life.

The inclusion of hearing loss is important as this is the first large study that identified hearing loss as a major modifiable risk factor for dementia. Prevention and/or treatment of hearing loss is absolutely critical. The researchers found that reducing hearing loss in mid-life was the second highest factor in decreasing the number of dementia cases in all people treated. Persons who suffer from even minor hearing loss can become withdrawn and the resultant lack of social contact limits their cognitive environment. The earlier the hearing loss is treated, the better the results. Too many people fail to adequately handle their hearing loss and, therefore, put themselves at greater risk of social isolation and possibly dementia. Rosanna Meandro, Director of Media Relations at Alzheimer Society of Canada, has stated, “There are no guarantees that we can prevent dementia, but there is a growing body of scientific evidence that supports lifestyle changes that can work in our favor.” These changes, such as improved diet, cessation of smoking, and more exercise, should be fortified with public health officials actively promoting the importance of secondary education and encouraging children to get engaged, be active, and develop healthy habits. As the recent study highlighted above illustrates, dementia is a complex disease. There are now many identifiable factors that contribute to the onset of dementia. Learning more about these factors and educating the public in best health practices can go a long way towards better managing this public health issue. Take the first step towards preventing dementia by booking a complimentary hearing evaluation with NexGen Hearing.