Irene Heger|Kay Deckers|Martin P.J. van Boxtel|Marjolein de Vugt|KlaasJan Hajema|Frans R.J. Verhey|Sebastian Köhler
Dementia awareness and risk perception in middle-aged and older individuals: baseline results of the MijnBreincoach survey on the association between lifestyle and brain health
Maastricht University|Maastricht University|Maastricht University|Maastricht University|GGD Zuid Limburg|Maastricht University|Maastricht University
total number people dementia increasing worldwide due aging society without diseasemodifying drug available risk reduction strategies date promising way reduce dementia incidence future substantial evidence exists lifestyle factors contribute risk dementia physical exercise mental activity nonsmoking still people seem unaware relationship lifestyle brain health paper investigates dementia literacy knowledge modifiable risk protective factors dementia dutch populationbased sample onlinesurvey carried among 590 communitydwelling people 40 75 years old province limburg netherlands total group comprises provincial sample n 381 sample three specific districts within province n 209 dementia awareness knowledge 12 risk protective factors assessed items derived british social attitudes bsa survey supplemented custom items developed research team majority participants 56 unaware relationship lifestyle dementia risk individuals identified low cognitive activity physical inactivity unhealthy diet dementia risk factors particular gaps knowledge existed regard major cardiovascular risk factors hypertension hypercholesterolemia coronary heart disease although level awareness varied age level education people 70 eager learn topic brain health indicated interested using ehealth 54 measure improve brain health people still unaware relation lifestyle brain health indicating need public health campaigns increasing awareness general population presence modifiable dementia risk protective factors crucial first step prior implementation preventative measures targeting specific subgroups individuals low socioeconomic status low health literacy essential reach effect prevention campaign outcome study rationale awareness campaign netherlands called mijnbreincoach mybraincoach