Public unaware of lifestyle factors which risk dementia, PHE says

Public Health England (PHE) has released a statement warning that just two per cent of people in Britain can identify health and lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing dementia.

Findings from the British Social Attitudes survey, commissioned by PHE, indicated that 28 per cent of the British public is unable to correctly identify any potentially modifiable risk factor for developing dementia.

The news comes as research has shown that a third of dementia cases could be a result of factors potentially in our control, with studies showing that taking regular exercise and refraining from smoking can reduce the risk of developing the disease.

The survey asked the public if they could identify any of the following risk factors: heavy drinking, smoking, high blood pressure, depression and diabetes as well as the protective factor of taking regular exercise. Just two per cent of the public is able to identify all of them.

27 per cent of people believed that there is nothing they can do to reduce their risk of developing dementia.

Dr Charles Alessi, senior dementia advisor at PHE, commented: “Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing. What’s good for the heart is good for the brain and simple steps like giving up smoking, reducing alcohol intake, losing weight and taking regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing dementia in the future.

“In the absence of a cure for dementia, prevention is the best means we have to reduce its impact on the public. Today’s findings highlight the importance of PHE’s work on the NHS Health Check dementia pilot and campaigns like One You, which raise awareness of the fact it’s never too late to take control of your health and provide adults with personalised tools with which to do it.”

Dr Matthew Norton, Director of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “Public awareness of the risk factors for dementia is essential for empowering people to make changes that may lower their chances of developing the condition. While we don’t yet have sure-fire preventions, research suggests keeping healthy from mid-life could help reduce the risk of dementia.

“With 850,000 people already living with dementia in the UK, we must do all we can to help people understand the risk factors for dementia now if we are to influence dementia rates in the future.”