Brain health ’Check-in’ tool to help reduce dementia risk

A free new digital tool has been launched by Alzheimer's Research UK, supported by evidence from UCL researchers, to help people keep their brain healthy and reduce their dementia risk. Only 2% of the public are doing everything they can to keep their brains healthy, according to new figures released by the charity. Now the charity is helping to empower people to look after their brains and reduce their risk of dementia in later life, with the Think Brain Health Check-in. The new tool prompts people to answer a series of evidence-based questions about the factors that research has shown could be influencing their brain health. According to findings from a major review paper led by Professor Gill Livingston (UCL Psychiatry), up to 40% of dementia cases could be prevented, if 12 risk factors could be eliminated entirely*. These include smoking, hearing impairment, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, and infrequent social contact. However, only a third of people realise that there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of dementia.