Attention, fellow patriots! While we’re busy fighting the good fight for our conservative values, there’s another battle brewing that affects us all: the war against dementia. Now, before you roll your eyes and think this is just another liberal health scare, hear me out. This isn’t about pushing some nanny-state agenda; it’s about empowering ourselves to maintain our mental edge well into our golden years. After all, what good is preserving our freedoms if we can’t remember what we’re fighting for?
The Dementia Dilemma
Let’s cut to the chase: dementia is a growing global crisis. Nearly 55 million people worldwide are currently grappling with this cognitive decline, and that number is projected to skyrocket to 153 million by 2050. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a wake-up call for all of us to take action.
“The progress in preventing and treating dementia is accelerating,” says Dr. Gill Livingston, professor of psychiatry of older people at University College London. This isn’t just feel-good rhetoric; it’s backed by solid research.
14 Risk Factors You Need to Know
The Lancet Commission has identified 14 modifiable risk factors that could prevent or delay nearly half of all dementia cases. These include less education, head injury, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, hearing loss, depression, air pollution, infrequent social contact, high cholesterol, and vision loss.
“Many people around the world believe dementia is inevitable, but it’s not. Our report concludes that you can hugely increase the chances of not developing dementia or pushing back its onset,” states Prof Gill Livingston.
The Economic Impact
This isn’t just about individual health; it’s about the economic strength of our nation. Global health and social costs linked to dementia exceed $1 trillion annually. By implementing preventive measures, we could save billions—money that could be better spent on strengthening our economy and national security.
Taking Action
So, what can we do? It’s time to embrace lifelong learning and mental stimulation. As Dr. Glen Finney, director of the Geisinger Memory and Cognition Program, aptly puts it, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
This isn’t about big government solutions; it’s about personal responsibility and community action. We can promote quality education, disseminate health information, regulate smoking and alcohol, and encourage regular exercise and cognitive activities.
“It’s never too early or too late to take action,” emphasizes Prof. Gill Livingston. So, whether you’re a young conservative just starting out or a seasoned veteran of the political arena, there’s no time like the present to start sharpening your mental faculties.
By taking these steps, we’re not just protecting our individual cognitive health; we’re safeguarding the future of our conservative movement. After all, a sharp mind is our best defense against the erosion of our values and liberties. Let’s commit to lifelong learning and mental stimulation—for ourselves, for our families, and for the future of our great nation.
Sources
- https://www.wxow.com/news/health/nearly-half-of-dementia-cases-could-be-avoided-or-delayed-by-tackling-14-risk-factors/article_ac527c7e-6e9d-5bd2-a3cc-1b2ed3d645f7.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/31/almost-half-of-dementia-cases-could-be-prevented-or-delayed-study-finds
- https://www.thelancet.com/infographics-do/dementia-risk
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/31/health/dementia-childhood-risk-factors-study-wellness/index.html
- https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-dementia-cases-delayed-tackling-factors.html
- https://www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/20240731/eliminating-14-risk-factors-may-prevent-nearly-half-of-dementia-cases
- https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1052982
- https://www.thestar.com/life/health-wellness/nearly-half-of-dementia-cases-can-be-prevented-or-delayed-a-major-new-study-suggests/article_133b9842-5004-11ef-9527-cbeb4a272f17.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/dementia-risk-reduction-june-2022/index.html
- https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/almost-50-global-dementia-cases-may-be-preventable-2024a1000e1w
More From Around the Web
Updated 2024 Lancet commission on dementia finds that there are 14 modifiable risks factors, that if addressed could prevent 45% of cases. https://t.co/mrQZICbfBk pic.twitter.com/D0GYk5YTxc
— shireen kassam (@shireenkassam1) August 2, 2024
TW : Latent profiles of modifiable dementia risk factors in later midlife: relationships with incident…: …ER21-16-141), Weston Brain Institute, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Association, and Michael J. Fox Foundation… https://t.co/WSjIMMKBTi
— Stigmabase | NORTH (@StigmabaseN) August 6, 2024
