Dementia risk declining in younger generations, study finds
Dementia risk declining in younger generations, study finds
Younger generations are less likely to develop dementia at a given age compared to earlier generations, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open. The international study, led by researchers at the University of Queensland, analysed data from over 62,000 people aged 70 and above across the US, UK, and Europe.
Findings revealed a generational decline in dementia prevalence, with the trend more pronounced in women. For instance, among Americans aged 81–85, 25.1% of those born between 1890 and 1913 had dementia, compared to 15.5% of those born between 1939 and 1943.
Researchers attribute the decline to factors such as increased education, improved medical care, and public health interventions like smoking bans. Despite the positive trend, experts caution that the overall number of dementia cases is still rising due to ageing populations. Significant disparities also remain, particularly across gender, education levels, and regions.
Commenting on the findings, experts welcomed the results but warned that the trend may not continue without sustained public health efforts. Alzheimer’s Research UK emphasised the importance of preventive strategies, noting that up to 40% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing known risk factors.
