A USC-led study of over 214,000 adults in 14 countries reveals that dementia risk factors vary significantly across the globe, challenging a one-size-fits-all prevention strategy. For example, low education is a major factor in China (85.6%) but not the U.S. (12.0%), while high BMI is more prevalent in the U.S. (44.9%) than India (13.3%). The findings suggest prevention programs must be tailored to local populations.
Dementia risk factor variation
- ▪A USC-led study found that modifiable dementia risk factors vary dramatically between countries, suggesting a single global prevention approach is unlikely to be effective
- ▪High BMI was a risk factor for 44.9% of older adults in the United States, compared to just 13.3% in India
- ▪Low education was a risk factor for 85.6% of older adults in China, compared to only 12.0% in the United States
Study methodology
- ▪Researchers examined 12 modifiable dementia risk factors identified by the Lancet Commission, including hearing loss, depression, and social isolation
- ▪The study was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2026 and published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity
- ▪The dataset combined information from aging studies in 14 locations, including the U.S., England, China, Mexico, Brazil, and India
- ▪The research analyzed harmonized survey data from over 214,000 older adults collected between 2009 and 2023
Risk factor clustering patterns
- ▪Cardiovascular conditions such as high cholesterol and hypertension frequently clustered together
- ▪Despite country-to-country differences, many risk factors appeared in similar combinations worldwide
- ▪Behaviors like smoking and drinking also tended to occur as groups in the studied populations
Country-specific prevention strategies
- ▪The findings could help governments and health organizations create prevention programs tailored to the needs of their own populations
- ▪Individuals can have an impact on changing their own risk for late-life outcomes, as these risks are experienced over the life course and are not predetermined
Future research expansion
- ▪Future studies plan to examine additional modifiable risk factors, including poor sleep
- ▪The research is expected to expand to more countries as comparable datasets become available, with data collection underway in Kenya and Egypt
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