World Alzheimer’s Report
September 21, 2023
Today is World Alzheimer’s Day and this year’s theme for World Alzheimer’s Month 2023 is ‘Never too early never too late’.
The ‘Never too early, never too late‘ campaign aims to underscore the pivotal role of identifying risk factors and adopting proactive risk reduction measures to delay, and potentially even prevent, the onset of dementia. This includes ongoing risk reduction strategies for individuals who have already received a diagnosis.
There is growing awareness that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can start many years prior to symptoms, likewise awareness of the lifelong brain health interventions and choices that can be made. With the global number of people living with dementia expected to triple by 2050, there has never been a more urgent need to understand and respond to the risk factors associated with this condition.
Alzheimer’s Disease International publishes the report each year. Some of the key discussion points in this year’s report, as outlined by the publisher include:
Some of the key recommendations included in the 2023 Report:
- In the absence of a cure or a treatment that is globally accessible, risk reduction remains the most feasible and proactive way to combat dementia.
- Just as there is rarely a simple answer to a complex issue, there is no magic bullet for dementia. But there are tangible steps – big and small – that individuals can take to reduce risk, and any step is better than nothing:
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- Eat as healthy a diet as possible – diversify the food groups you consume and avoid ultra-processed foods.
- There are many ways to eat well; personalised diets incorporating foods that are local and affordable where you live and fit your needs are best.
- Exercise – be creative; walking, bike riding, tai chi, dancing… it all counts.
- Keep learning – challenge your brain, whether it is by picking up a new language, doing crosswords, singing…
- Pay attention to your cardiovascular health and any other chronic diseases.
- Maintain connection – humans are social animals; socialising replenishes our brain health and reduces depression and isolation.
- Pay attention to your general physical maintenance – check the health of your teeth, avoid head injury, make sure you get enough sleep, don’t smoke nor drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
- One step that has stood out as a possible game changer is getting a hearing aid for those with hearing loss, which has not only shown to slow cognitive decline but is cost effective and scalable. ADI encourages governments and healthcare systems to improve access to these devices, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries.
- Risk reduction is a lifelong endeavour and most effective when awareness and understanding of brain health begins at a young age, establishing good habits.
- Risk reduction does not end at diagnosis – people with dementia can implement healthy lifestyle changes aimed at slowing the progression of the condition. More research is needed and more should be done to ensure that people who have been diagnosed with dementia have access to education and the support they will need to modify their behaviours and to continue to live a purposeful life.
- Some risks cannot be addressed individually. Governments must address broader issues such as green spaces for safe exercise, air pollution, access to education (especially for girls), more equitable access to healthcare, and regulations/ guidance around ultra-processed foods, etc.
- Governments must provide support and incentives to people to reduce their own risk. One way is by funding community public health systems that can play an integral role in facilitating behavioural change.
- On an international level, an extension of the Global action plan on dementia beyond 2025 is needed. ADI calls on member states to bring this initiative to the WHO to ensure dementia remains a global health priority. ADI further notes that member states have already committed to risk reduction through action area 3 of the Global action plan.
- ADI calls on governments to develop robust risk reduction strategies to include in their national dementia plans, aligned with non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk reduction targets. Recognising that these conditions have shared risk factors, there is an opportunity to leverage existing awareness campaigns, and even to create new integrated ones to benefit public health.
- The risk reduction field is evolving quickly, but it is paramount to ensure diversity and inclusion in all research if we are to address dementia risk across the global community.
- ADI calls for governments to keep up the momentum and invest further in risk reduction research, driving new understanding and innovations to promote healthy ageing, including after a diagnosis.