Healthed Australia Midlife interventions that shape brain health
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Sep 4, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Professor James Vickers, a leading authority on dementia prevention from the University of Tasmania, highlights why midlife is critical for targeting dementia risks. He reveals the surprising impact of correcting hearing loss on dementia rates and the complexity of socioeconomic factors in prevention strategies. Vickers advocates for community engagement and innovative educational tools to foster brain health conversations, emphasizing the essential role of GPs in early interventions. Discover proactive measures for a healthier brain!
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Modifiable Risks Account For Many Cases
- Population studies suggest up to around 38–45% of dementia cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors.
- This estimate comes from Lancet Commissions and recent Australian studies, but population data don't map perfectly to individual outcomes.
Midlife Is The Critical Window
- Ten of the 14 identified dementia risk factors are particularly important in midlife.
- Addressing these midlife factors can delay onset or lower later-life dementia risk.
Prioritise Vascular Health And Hearing
- Focus on vascular health: manage physical inactivity, hypertension, high LDL, obesity and diabetes to reduce dementia risk.
- Screen and treat hearing loss too, as correction in midlife could lower population dementia by about 7%.