Younger generations are less likely to have dementia, according to new study

Hopefully the trend continues

Dementia is typically associated with older people, but new research suggests recent generations may not develop the illness as early as previous age groups.

They’re less happy than previous generations, more overworked, struggle to find work-life balance and are constantly told social media is ruining their attention span, and yet, younger generations are less likely to get dementia according to a new study. 

According to Dementia Australia, it’s estimated that in 2025, there are 433,300 Australians living with the syndrome, with that number expected to increase to around 812,500 by 2054 without ‘a significant intervention’.

Women are also more at risk of the disorder, making up nearly two-thirds of Australians living with dementia.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity,

Smoking, overconsumption of alcohol, physical inactivity, social isolation, mental health issues and age as factors that can increase the risk of dementia  – but researchers say younger generations may not develop the illness at the age previous generations have.

As per The Guardian, co-author of The University of Queensland’s study, Dr Sabrina Lenzen, said, “Younger generations are less likely to develop dementia at the same age as their parents or grandparents, and that’s a hopeful sign”.

Participants were surveyed on factors indicative of their likelihood of developing dementia, including troubles they experienced with everyday tasks. Image: iStock

The research team analysed data from 62,437 people aged over 70 years from England, the US and areas of Europe to determine if the prevalence of dementia changes across birth cohorts.

Participants were surveyed on factors indicative of their likelihood of developing dementia, including troubles they experienced with everyday tasks. They also completed cognitive tests.

When divided into 6 age groups and 8 birth cohorts, the results highlighted that while rates of dementia increase with age across the board, people in younger generations were less likely to have dementia at the same age as older demographics. 

The study didn’t look into the reasons for the differences, but the trend was particularly noticeable in women. Image: iStock

“For example, in the US, among people aged 81 to 85, 25.1% of those born between 1890–1913 had dementia, compared to 15.5% of those born between 1939–1943”.

Similar trends were evident in the other two locations.

The study didn’t look into the reasons for the differences, but the trend was particularly noticeable in women, and researchers involved suggested that improved access to education over the last several decades could help to explain this. 

While this is great news for the age groups who have been told their memories are worsening with each bout of screen time, Lenzen said, “the overall burden of dementia will still grow as populations age, and significant inequalities remain – especially by gender, education and geography.”

Originally published as Younger generations are less likely to have dementia, according to new study