THE 12 MAJOR FACTORS

EARLY LIFE

■ Education – better schooling gets you in the habit of using your brain more throughout your life, which is proven to increase ‘cognitive reserve’ and reduce dementia risk. Poor education increases an individual’s dementia risk by 60%. Responsible for 7% of cases

MIDDLE AGE

(aged 45-65)

■ Hearing loss – now proven to be linked to dementia. Hearing aids reduce this risk, suggesting rationing in some countries could have a major effect in years to come. Increases individual risk by 90%. Responsible for 8% of all cases.

■ Brain injury – a major study last year showed soccer players were at significantly increased dementia risk due to repeated heading of the ball. Increases individual risk by 80%. Responsible for 3% of all cases.

■ High blood pressure – a systolic reading of more than 140mgHH increases an individual’s risk by 60%. Responsible for 2% of cases.

■ Drinking – more than 21 units (about nine pints of beer or 15 small glasses of wine) a week increases individual risk by 20%. Responsible for 1% of cases.

■ Obesity – a body mass index of more than 30 increases a person’s chance of developing dementia by 60%. Responsible for 1% of cases.

OLD AGE

(65+)

■ Smoking – tobacco use increases individual dementia risk by 60%. Responsible for 5% of cases.

■ Social isolation – coronavirus lockdown has shown the devastating impact of isolation. Increases dementia risk by 60% and is responsible for 4% of cases.

■ Depression – psychological distress increases the risk of depression by 90%, and antidepressants do not help. Accounts for 4% of all cases.

■ Lack of exercise – physical activity increases blood flow, speeds up metabolism and increases the health of blood vessels. Inactive people are 40% more likely to develop dementia. Responsible for 2% of cases.

■ Diabetes – Many Western countries have a diabetes problem, with more than 200,000 people living with the disease in Ireland alone. They are at 50% increased dementia risk. Responsible for 1% of cases.

■ Air pollution – increasing evidence shows people living near main roads are vulnerable to neurological decline. Increases dementia risk by 10%. Responsible for 2% of cases.