Dementia, a looming global mental health crisis, is becoming increasingly common. This condition involves a decline in cognitive functions and is caused by diseases that gradually destroy brain cells, says the World Health Organization.
By 2050, it’s expected that the number of people with dementia could reach about 139 million, with the population of individuals aged 65 and older expected to double to 2.1 billion, as noted by the WHO. Currently, there are over 55 million people worldwide suffering from dementia.
Dementia Risks:
Dementia ranks as the seventh leading cause of death globally and significantly contributes to disability and dependency among the elderly, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year.
While aging remains the top risk factor for developing dementia, other significant but potentially modifiable risk factors identified by The Lancet Commission’s 2020 report include:
- Limited education
- High blood pressure
- Hearing loss
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Depression
- Lack of physical activity
- Diabetes
- Low social interaction
- Excessive alcohol use
- Traumatic brain injury
- Air pollution
These factors suggest that making certain lifestyle changes could help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
