Dementia risk studies show rising prevalence in Ghana and varied risk factors worldwide

A cross‑sectional study in Ghana's Ashanti Region found that 23.4% of adults aged 40 and over are at risk of developing dementia, underscoring a growing public‑health challenge and gaps in care, stigma, and support for caregivers. Researchers stress the need for a national dementia care policy and public education to combat misconceptions that link symptoms to witchcraft.

A separate multinational analysis of more than 214,000 older adults in 14 countries revealed substantial differences in the prevalence of modifiable dementia risk factors. Low education affected 85.6% of Chinese participants but only 12.0% of Americans, while high body‑mass index was present in 44.9% of U.S. adults compared with 13.3% in India. Nonetheless, similar risk‑factor clusters—such as cardiovascular risks or smoking and drinking—appeared across the regions. The findings suggest that prevention strategies must be tailored to local patterns rather than relying on a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.