Dementia prevention in the Nordic countries

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.

During 2023, on assignment from the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Nordic Welfare Centre has launched the project Dementia prevention in the Nordic countries.

– Dementia presents major challenges not only to individuals 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 modifiable environmental factors and health-promoting lifestyle habits may contribute to longer time with 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.

There are examples in the Nordic countries of strategic programmes and practical solutions designed to prevent dementia. The aim of the project Dementia prevention in the Nordic countries is to compile knowledge about how the Nordic countries work in this field.

– The aim is to survey Nordic policy and practice and to identify effective methods and interventions to promote brain health and prevent dementia. The project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, will result in a report, explains Westman.

The report is due in autumn 2024. The survey will cover work at the structural level and concrete interventions. The questions to be answered include how dementia prevention is delimited by or interacts with existing interventions to prevent chronic diseases, as well as what recommendations can be made based on the results.