A surge in dementia cases is looming globally, driven by increasing life expectancy, according to the 2024 report of the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care.
Dementia is a condition characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss and is poised to affect millions more people in the coming decades.
The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention identified 14 factors, including education, hearing loss, high blood pressure, and obesity, that contribute significantly to the development of the disease.
Kenya is not immune to this trend.
While an estimated 258,000 older adults currently live with dementia in the country, the absence of a comprehensive national plan and limited awareness pose significant challenges to care and support.
Addressing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity is crucial in preventing or delaying dementia onset.
“The potential for prevention is high and, overall, nearly half of dementias could theoretically be prevented by eliminating these 14 risk factors. These findings provide hope.”
“Overall, around 45% of cases of dementia are potentially preventable by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors at different stages during the life course,” reads part of the Lancet report.
However, inadequate resources and infrastructure in Kenya hinder effective prevention and management strategies.
As the global population ages, the number of people living with dementia is projected to triple by 2050, placing a massive strain on healthcare systems and economies.
While there is no cure for dementia, early detection and management can help improve the quality of life for affected individuals and their caregivers. Governments, healthcare providers, and individuals must work together to implement effective prevention and care programs.
However, the new findings offer hope for mitigating this crisis through targeted prevention strategies.
“Evidence is increasing and is now stronger than before that tackling the many risk factors for dementia that we modelled previously reduces the risk of developing dementia.”
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