Photo: Sofia Sabel, imagebanksweden.se

The Nordic Council of Ministers aims for the Nordics to become the world’s most integrated and sustainable region by 2030. Nordic cooperation is key to this goal, and sharing dementia prevention initiatives is a part of this collaboration.

The conference presented the new report Dementia prevention in the Nordics, arising from the Nordic Welfare Centre’s dementia prevention project, which was initiated by the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and funded by the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Health and Social Affairs.

Grete Kjelvik, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ageing and Health, Norway: New Nordic report on dementia prevention in the Nordics

The report Dementia prevention in the Nordics was presented by Postdoctoral Researcher Grete Kjelvik, the lead author who headed a team of experts in the process. The report provides an overview of dementia prevention work in the Nordics.

– The development in the field of dementia prevention has exploded in the last 10–15 years, with the number of scientific articles increasing remarkably every year, Grete Kjelvik says.

The research draws attention to the need for a holistic approach to dementia prevention, emphasised by the WHO statement that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain. Grete Kjelvik also highlighted the FINGER study, first published in 2015, which was the first in the world to demonstrate that lifestyle interventions can prevent dementia in older adults, as well as the evidence-based life-course risk factors presented by the Lancet Commission in 2017, 2020, and 2024.

The Nordic report is based on scientific evidence, grey literature, and interviews conducted both individually and within a reference group of experts from the Nordic countries.

– Each of the Nordic countries has its own approach to dementia prevention. While all have national dementia plans, they do not place much emphasis on primary prevention, nor do they provide clear recommendations on how to reduce the risk of dementia.

Nevertheless, the Nordic societies are structured in a way that promotes health and reduces the risk of developing dementia in many ways. Legislation and regulations cover areas such as smoking and alcohol control, as well as strong educational and health care systems. There are also targeted initiatives for dementia prevention at both national and local levels within the Nordic countries.

The report identified four key barriers and opportunities for the implementation of preventative measures for dementia: lack of public knowledge, challenges in reaching different subgroups with health information, insufficient financing and resources for preventative initiatives, and competing priorities within the health care system.

The report also identified areas for improvement in strategy implementation. There is a clear need to concentrate on raising awareness, both generally and among more vulnerable groups.

– The implementation of practices should focus on making healthy choices easy for everyone, promoting brain health and supporting cognitive function throughout the entire lifespan.

The report also underscores the need for further collaboration and the enhancement of knowledge sharing on dementia prevention.

– Dementia is a significant global challenge, and dementia prevention needs to be a key focus in the Nordic region in the coming years.

Grete Kjelvik emphasised that there is common lifestyle factors linked to the prevention and risk reduction of many diseases.

– This calls for a holistic approach to dementia prevention. The Nordic countries need a long-term strategy for dementia prevention, and it must be clearly integrated into the broader work on preventing other non-communicable diseases.

– Grete Kjelvik, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ageing and Health, Norway

Comments on the report

Taru Koivisto, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland and Michaela Prochazka, Coordinator for Elderly Affairs at the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden, was invited to comment on the report Dementia prevention in the Nordics.

– This report is very good and comprehensive. It is important to have recommendations on how to progress, as the issue is becoming increasingly important for the future in all the Nordic countries. The report provides a strong knowledge base and highlights the opportunities for dementia prevention, says Taru Koivisto. 

Koivisto notes that the Nordic countries share many similarities, and the report provides recommendations for strengthening cooperation. The promising evidence of the potential to prevent dementia is something that must be considered and implemented across the Nordic countries.

– The recommendations in the report are certainly worth supporting. Raising awareness among health care professionals, from doctors and teachers to politicians, is crucial. Also, the public needs more information about dementia. Lifestyle risk factors should be strongly emphasised in lifestyle counselling.

Taru Koivisto stresses the importance of different sectors of society collaborating in dementia prevention, including NGOs and civil society.

– I look forward to us seizing this opportunity and putting the recommendations into practice. In the Nordic countries, we are very practical, and this presents a real opportunity for us to make it happen, Taru Koivisto says.

Michaela Prochazka, identified the report’s contribution to collective knowledge.

– It will undoubtedly help us learn from each other to improve dementia care across the region.

Michaela Prochazka mentioned the similarities between the Nordic countries and the prevention work that is already carried out.

– Nordic countries, including Sweden, have implemented various evidence-based policies and practices targeting modifiable risk factors for dementia, as highlighted by key studies such as those by the Lancet Commission and WHO guidelines. While there is clear progress, the report highlights areas for improvement, particularly in raising awareness and ensuring that healthy lifestyle choices are accessible to all segments of the population. 

Michaela Prochazka observes that each Nordic country can draw valuable insights from the broader Nordic context to enhance its national dementia prevention efforts. She also emphasises the importance of communication in dementia prevention work.

– Reaching diverse subgroups within the population, such as immigrants, minority groups, and those with lower health literacy, remains a challenge. This highlights the need for targeted communication strategies and the adaptation of public health messages to effectively engage these varied audiences, as indicated in the report.