Why Focusing on Prevention is Crucial in the Global Fight Against Dementia

“We all know that memory is identity,” writes novelist Julian Barnes in his slim, mournful work Departure(s), which was billed as the 80-year-old writer’s final work of fiction upon its publication earlier this year. “Take away memory and what do we have?”, he continues in the essayistic fragments that wrap around the fictional story at the book’s core. “Nothingness adrift” is what remains when memory is lost, he concludes. It is a chilling but accurate description for those who have witnessed a family member being steadily consumed by dementia.

The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 57 million people live with dementia globally, with 10 million new cases reported annually. As a leading cause of death and disability, care systems around the world are struggling to keep up. While a definitive cure remains elusive, discussions around dementia heavily focus on care rather than prevention or cure.

In general terms, dementia prevention involves lifestyle warnings regarding smoking, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, alongside advice to exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and stay mentally and socially active. A recent study highlighted by The National indicated that individuals aged 45 to 65 who did not smoke, maintained normal blood pressure, and avoided diabetes delayed dementia onset by an additional 13 years.

Efforts are also underway in places like Abu Dhabi, which hosted clinical trials aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s using genetic data from the Emirati Genome Programme. By identifying individuals at higher genetic risk before symptoms appear, researchers can intervene at a critical stage. Additionally, research has found that inoculation with a shingles vaccine could cut dementia risk by up to a fifth, while potentially slowing cognitive decline for those already diagnosed.

Although vaccines like the shingles inoculation come with a relatively high cost for two doses, the potential savings in later-life care and the benefit of keeping loved ones healthier far outweigh the initial outlay. In the balance between prevention, care, and cure, prioritizing preventive solutions is becoming more vital than ever.