Education Denied: The Potential Consequences of Conflict and Opression on Dementia Risk
Education Denied: The Potential Consequences of Conflict and Oppression on Dementia Risk A Perspective Piece for World Alzheimer’s Month (2024) Esra Hassan Dementia is often regarded as a condition tied primarily to ageing and genetics. However, research increasingly highlights modifiable risk factors have an important role in determining cognitive decline later in life. According to the latest Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care, there are actionable steps that individuals and governments can adopt to reduce dementia risk throughout life. These risk factors are linked with 40% of all dementia cases. These factors range from early-life education to reducing air pollution. Addressing these modifiable risk factors, starting in childhood and continuing throughout life, could prevent or delay nearly half of dementia cases. To reduce dementia risk throughout life, the Commission outlines recommendations to be adopted by governments and individuals, i...