Quarter Of Over-40s Unable to Name a Single Dementia Risk Factor, New Research Finds

Care providers are being urged to help raise public understanding of dementia risk factors, after new research from Alzheimer’s Society found that more than a quarter of adults aged over 40 cannot identify a single modifiable factor linked to the condition.

Dementia remains the UK’s leading cause of death, affecting around one million people nationwide. Yet the charity’s latest survey suggests widespread public unfamiliarity with the lifestyle and health factors — such as high blood pressure and hearing loss — known to influence a person’s likelihood of developing the condition.

According to the findings, 26% of over-40s could not name a single modifiable dementia risk factor, while only one in five (21%) were aware of the growing body of evidence suggesting that up to 45% of dementia cases may be linked to factors that can be prevented, treated or managed.

Midlife identified as a critical window

Researchers say midlife — broadly defined as between the ages of 45 and 65 — represents one of the most important opportunities for individuals to protect their long-term brain health, particularly by addressing risk factors such as obesity and high cholesterol.

However, the survey indicates many people may be missing this window. Fewer than a third (32%) of respondents recognised high blood pressure as a dementia risk factor, despite it being among the most significant modifiable influences identified by researchers. Awareness was lower still for high cholesterol (24%) and hearing loss (21%).

Unaddressed risk factors among over-40s

The research also pointed to a number of potentially unmanaged risk factors within the population. Four in ten (40%) over-40s reported that their hearing had worsened over the past five years, yet only a third (33%) had had their hearing tested in that time.

Separately, almost one in five (18%) over-40s said they speak to someone outside their household no more than once a week — a pattern of social isolation that has itself been linked to increased dementia risk, and one that may resonate particularly with care providers supporting older or isolated residents in the community.

Charity calls for greater public awareness

Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said the findings showed that many people remain unaware of the steps they could take to help reduce their dementia risk.

“As a result, millions of people are missing the chance to take simple steps today that could help protect their brain health tomorrow, from getting their hearing checked to managing their blood pressure,” she said, adding that improving public understanding of risk and preventative action presented “a meaningful opportunity to reduce the number of people affected by dementia in the future.”

The 14 modifiable risk factors

The findings draw on the 2024 Lancet Commission on Dementia, part-funded by Alzheimer’s Society, which identified 14 modifiable risk factors associated with increased dementia likelihood:

• High blood pressure
• Hearing loss
• High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Physical inactivity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Depression
• Social isolation
• Traumatic brain injury
• Air pollution
• Untreated vision loss
• Limited education in early life

While age remains the single biggest risk factor for dementia and there is currently no guaranteed means of prevention, the Commission’s evidence suggests that addressing these modifiable factors collectively could help prevent or delay almost half of all dementia cases.