Dementia: experts outline 56-point roadmap that could reduce cases

A panel of world-leading researchers published 56 recommendations in Nature Reviews Neurology urging a national rethink of dementia policy, calling for clearer public messaging and action on risk factors such as hearing loss, social isolation and high blood pressure.

A group of international experts has published a consensus set of recommendations intended to prevent or delay dementia. The review, published in Nature Reviews Neurology, sets out 56 actions covering public messaging, identification of individual risk factors, environmental stressors and continued funding. Lead author Dr Harriet Demnitz-King said evidence shows dementia risk can be reduced but that this has not been turned into a coherent government strategy and that existing information can be confusing or make people feel blamed. Co-author Professor Charles Marshall noted that dementia is now the leading cause of death in the UK and said a clear public health plan is needed. Key points: - The panel set out 56 recommendations spanning public messaging, risk identification, structural actions and research priorities. - The review highlights individual risk factors including hearing loss, social isolation and high blood pressure as targets for prevention efforts. - It references 14 risk factors listed by the 2024 Lancet Commission, which reported that almost half of Alzheimer's cases could be prevented by addressing factors such as high cholesterol, vision loss, physical inactivity, social isolation and air pollution. - The authors write that, without a cure or broad access to effective treatments, prevention is essential and public messages should focus on actionable, evidence-backed steps people can take. - The panel recommends using the term "dementia" rather than specific subtypes and promoting clear, informative statements—for example, linking weight loss to reduced dementia risk—when evidence supports such messaging. Summary: The consensus aims to shift policy and public communication so more people might avoid or delay dementia onset by addressing known risk factors and structural drivers. The authors hope their recommendations will lead to better public messaging, improved management of related health conditions, structural approaches to brain health and targeted research. Next steps depend on government and institutional responses. Undetermined at this time.