Dementia prevention in the Nordic countries

Public health

It is estimated that in the Nordic region alone over 500,000 women and men are currently suffering from dementia, a figure that is expected to rise sharply over the coming years. Effective treatment is still lacking. Therefore, it is vital that we have preventive measures that promote brain health.

The risk of developing dementia increases with age. While dementia has long been considered a disease beyond our control, we now know that good environmental factors and lifestyle habits have a major impact on our cognitive functions and even provide some measure of protection against dementia.

“Dementia presents major challenges not only to sufferers but also to communities across the Nordic region, which must allocate significant resources to the increasing number of people in need of good dementia care. We now know that manageable environmental factors and health-promoting lifestyle habits may extend the length of good cognitive function. Society thus has much to gain from actively addressing this issue. It also offers hope to individuals; making the time for physical activity, healthy eating and social relationships protects the brain,” says project manager Pia Nevala Westman.

The goal of the project Dementia Prevention in the Nordic Countries is to disseminate knowledge about dementia prevention efforts in the Nordic countries. In 2024, a report on dementia prevention in the Nordic countries was published. The survey covers work at the structural level and concrete interventions.

The report has been produced in collaboration with the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health. In 2024, a Presidency Conference on Dementia Prevention was also held. A summary of the conference is available in a conference report.