Currently there are about 850k people with dementia in England and Wales, a figure that is expected to rise (Covid-19 willing?) to 1.2m by 2040. There are many forms of this awful condition and some of the predisposition is inherited. A recent report suggests, however, that there are also multiple 'life-style risk factors' that can alter the timing of the condition or even whether it occurs at all (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/30/lifestyle-changes-could-delay-or-prevent-40-of-dementia-cases-study). Some of these appear, at first glance, to be a matter of individual choice (actually easier for some folk than others) like avoiding smoking or excessive consumption of alcohol in middle age. Some may be easy to correct (if looked for) like mid-life hearing loss. Others, like exposure to air pollution, depend on where you live, as well as government policy and enforcement. An important category, head injury, is a complex risk factor as it could be purely a consequence of an accident, result from an assault or bought about by participation in sports such as boxing and football (heading the ball). So, life-style 'choices' are not always clear or easy to adjust. People do, however, need early information (and reminders?) about what they may be able to personally do to reduce their chances of developing such mental impairment. A 40% delay or prevention of dementia is not to be sniffed at.
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