Dementia Risk Declining in Younger Generations, New Study Suggests

Dementia is a global health concern, affecting millions of individuals and placing increasing strain on healthcare systems worldwide. In 2021, an estimated 57 million people were living with one of the neurodegenerative diseases classified under the dementia umbrella, and a number projected to rise to 153 million by 2050 due to the aging population. However, new research indicates that younger generations may be facing a lower risk of developing dementia as they age.

The study, led by economist Xiaoxue Dou from the University of Queensland, analyzed health survey data from the United States, continental Europe, and England. It focused on individuals aged 71 and older, grouping participants into four-year birth cohorts.

The prevalence of dementia increased by age among all birth cohorts in all 3 regions, suggesting that, at a given age, respondents born more recently seemed to include a lower proportion of people with dementia compared with those born in earlier birth cohorts.

For respondents aged 81 to 85 years, the proportion of people who developed dementia varied across birth cohorts and regions. In the US, 25.1% of individuals born between 1890 and 1913 developed dementia compared with 15.5% of those born between 1939 and 1943. In Europe, 30.2% of individuals born between 1934 and 1938 developed dementia compared with 15.2% of those born between 1939 and 1943. In England, 15.9% of individuals born between 1924 and 1928 developed dementia compared with 14.9% of those born between 1934 and 1938 did - Generational Differences in Age-Specific Dementia Prevalence Rates

The findings suggest that although the total number of dementia cases will likely grow due to population aging, the age-specific risk may be declining, at least among the groups studied. This generational shift, the authors note, could have significant implications for healthcare systems, long-term care infrastructure, and workforce planning in aging societies.