Addressing hearing loss and depression could be some of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia, according to a new series of scientific papers. For the first time, the papers focused on the Western Pacific region - which includes Australia, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The area is predicted to have half the global cases of dementia by 2050.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00This Tai Chi class is part of a program of activities designed to put a positive focus
00:08on ageing.
00:09It's not only the exercise, it's also the socialisation that comes with it, which is
00:15great.
00:16Most here are well versed on the risk factors associated with dementia and are doing what
00:22they can to mitigate the ones within their control.
00:26What we can do for ourselves is to try to stay as involved as we can with other people,
00:33to stay as involved as we can with learning new things.
00:38By doing lots of exercise, by doing crosswords, trying to keep mentally and physically fit.
00:43For the first time, a set of scientific papers is looking at the risk factors for dementia
00:48in the Western Pacific region.
00:51The area has 20 per cent of the global population, but is predicted to have half the world's
00:57dementia cases by 2050.
01:01Clearly there are genetic issues underpinning the process, and so we know for instance that
01:05diabetes, hypertension, smoking, some of the critically important modifier risk factors
01:12are more prevalent in the Western Pacific region.
01:16With 66 million people in the region estimated to have depression, treating the condition
01:23could be key to reducing dementia cases.
01:26It affects people's quality of life and it also affects their capacity to engage in the
01:30other health behaviours that are really good for your brain, like social engagement, physical
01:35activity etc.
01:37More research needs to be done to confirm the theory that treating hearing loss will
01:43also decrease dementia risk.
01:45It's critically important that we offer screening for hearing and vision for the population
01:52and make it accessible.
01:54A new scientific focus to shed light on a debilitating disease.