Brain HealthGlobal Dementia Risk Map Reveals What Works Where Across 14 Nations
A large international study analyzed dementia risk factors in over 214,000 adults aged 50 and older across 14 countries, including both high-income and lower-income nations. Researchers tracked 12 modifiable risk factors — from low education and physical inactivity to hypertension, obesity, and social isolation. Key findings: low education was far more prevalent in countries like China and India, while obesity dominated in the US. Despite these differences, more than half of all individuals across every country had at least two risk factors simultaneously. Risk factors consistently clustered into three groups — cardiovascular, behavioral, and social or sensory — regardless of geography. This suggests both universal and tailored prevention strategies could meaningfully reduce global dementia burden.
