Now Reading: Study identifies diabetes, hearing loss as key dementia factors in India
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Study identifies diabetes, hearing loss as key dementia factors in India
Study identifies diabetes, hearing loss as key dementia factors in India
Diabetes, hearing loss, physical inactivity and undernourishment are critical modifiable risk factors for dementia in India, a review of 25 years of data published in Alzheimer's and Dementia has found. The Rutgers…
The Story in Brief
Diabetes, hearing loss, physical inactivity and undernourishment are critical modifiable risk factors for dementia in India, a review of 25 years of data published in Alzheimer's and Dementia has found. The Rutgers University-led study, weighing Indian research against the 2024 Lancet Commission’s 14 risk factors, says metabolic and vascular risks drive midlife dementia. Women and rural residents show higher prevalence, likely due to underdiagnosis. India ranks third globally for diabetes, 41% of adults have hearing loss, and 57% are insufficiently active. Limited education accounts for 22% of modifiable risk (vs 8% worldwide), and untreated vision loss for an estimated 14% of cases.
The Indian Opinion
The study rightly shifts focus from fatalistic views of dementia as inevitable ageing to modifiable risks. But the narrative risks overstating individual lifestyle choices while underplaying systemic failures: poor rural healthcare access, underdiagnosis, and lack of screening for hearing and vision. In India, undernourishment and limited education are as dangerous as obesity, a pattern often ignored in Western-driven discourse. The real test is whether the SAMARTH study and Indian health policies will invest in early screening and community-level interventions, not just public awareness.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
