Dementia: Targeted Prevention is a Good Investment

KREMS, Austria - Jan. 24, 2024 - PRLog -- Measures to prevent dementia in at-risk groups can not only improve quality of life, but also make a lot of economic sense. This is the key finding of a recently published analysis by IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the University of Continuing Education Krems. It shows that early prevention for particularly vulnerable groups of people is relatively inexpensive and could significantly reduce the costs of the healthcare system for treatment and care. Further findings show that even broad-based prevention measures can save costs in well-defined risk groups and that measures in middle age groups are cost-effective if lifestyle-related risk factors are addressed.

95% of the general population are afraid of developing dementia. Dementia cannot be cured, which makes good treatment, support and care for those affected all the more important. However, this is cost-intensive and poses growing challenges for the healthcare system worldwide – especially in view of the ever-increasing proportion of older people in the overall population. Although dementia cannot be cured, there is well-documented evidence that prevention works. International studies show that lifestyle-related diseases, such as diabetes or coronary heart disease, promote dementia. According to scientific studies, lifestyle changes can prevent at least 40% of dementia. However, prevention also costs money and requires some effort.  Do the costs of such preventive measures ultimately perhaps even exceed the costs saved by avoiding dementia? A team from IMC Krems and the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) has now addressed precisely this question – and provided a clear answer.

Original Publication Cost-Effectiveness of Prevention for People at Risk for Dementia: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Synthesis. Braun, A.; Höfler, M.; Auer, S. (2023). Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 11(5): doi: 10.14283/jpad.2024.12.

Scientific Contact

Prof. (FH) Dr. Alexander Braun, MSc MA

Institute Health Management

IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences

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