Lifestyle Choices in Midlife Could Extend Dementia-free Years

WHO:

CNN - Dr. Josef Coresh, senior author of the study and founding director of the Optimal Aging Institute at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

CNN - Dr. Sanjula Singh, assistant professor in neurology at Harvard Medical School.

CNN - Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver.

sciencealert.com - Researchers from the US and China involved in the study.

WHAT:

CNN - The study found that participants who avoided smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes lived about 30 years without dementia, compared to 17 years for those who had these risk factors.

sciencealert.com - The study indicates that having none of the three risk factors was linked with 30.1 dementia-free years, compared to 17.5 years among those with all three health risks.

New York Post - The study suggests that avoiding smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes could lead to nearly 13 more years without developing dementia than those who did not avoid these factors.

CNN - The study found that participants who had normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and did not smoke had an average of 12.6 additional dementia-free years.

sciencealert.com - The study analyzed health records of 12,409 participants, emphasizing the importance of good health between ages 45 and 65.

sciencealert.com - The research indicates that women with all three risk factors lived an average of 18.1 years without dementia, while men lived 16.6 years without dementia.

sciencealert.com - White participants lived an average of 19.6 years without dementia, compared to 16 years for Black participants.

CNN - Participants with none of the three risk factors had an average of 30.1 dementia-free years, compared to 17.5 years for those with all three health risks.

sciencealert.com - By age 85, only 7% of adults with three risk factors remained dementia-free, compared to 35% of those with no risk factors.

sciencealert.com - The study found that women with all three risk factors lived an average of 18.1 years without dementia, while men lived 16.6 years without dementia.

sciencealert.com - White participants lived an average of 19.6 years without dementia, compared to 16 years for Black participants.

CNN - Avoiding type 2 diabetes, smoking, and high blood pressure may delay dementia onset by about 13 years.

CNN - The study analyzed health data from over 12,400 adults.

sciencealert.com - Participants with normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and no smoking had an average of 12.6 additional dementia-free years.

CNN - Participants with the three health risks were more than twice as likely to develop dementia and more than five times as likely to die prematurely from other causes.

sciencealert.com - Women with all three risk factors lived an average of 18.1 years without dementia, compared to 16.6 years for men.

sciencealert.com - White participants lived an average of 19.6 years without dementia, compared to 16 years for Black participants.

WHERE:

CNN - The study participants were from four communities in the United States: Forsyth County, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; northwestern suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Washington County, Maryland.

WHEN:

CNN - The study followed participants for a median period of about 26 years.

sciencealert.com - The study was published in the journal Neurology Open Access.

WHY:

sciencealert.com - The study emphasizes that maintaining optimal midlife vascular health is crucial for preserving brain health, as 42 percent of Americans are at risk for developing dementia after age 55.

sciencealert.com - The study suggests that maintaining optimal midlife vascular health is crucial for preserving brain health, as 42 percent of Americans are at risk for developing dementia after age 55.

CNN - The study emphasizes the importance of managing vascular health in middle age to potentially delay dementia onset.

sciencealert.com - The findings suggest that maintaining optimal midlife vascular health is crucial for preserving brain health.

HOW:

CNN - The study measured participants for high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and other health factors just once before following them for a median period of about 26 years.

CNN - The study measured participants for high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and other health factors just once before following them.

CNN - The research highlights the need for lifestyle changes, such as a lower-fat, plant-based diet and regular exercise, to manage health risks.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 03:53 UTC)

A new study reveals that individuals who avoid smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes can enjoy about 30 years free from dementia, compared to just 17 years for those with these risk factors. The research highlights that maintaining optimal midlife vascular health is essential, especially since 42 percent of Americans over 55 are at risk for developing dementia. Participants were assessed for these health factors only once before being monitored for a median of approximately 26 years.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 00:51 UTC)

A new study has revealed that individuals with normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and who do not smoke can expect to enjoy an average of 12.6 additional years free from dementia. The research, which analyzed health records of over 12,000 participants, found that women with these risk factors lived an average of 18.1 years without dementia, while men lived 16.6 years, with white participants experiencing an average of 19.6 years compared to 16 years for Black participants. This study underscores the importance of maintaining optimal midlife vascular health, especially since 42 percent of Americans are at risk for developing dementia after age 55.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 13:35 UTC)

A recent study highlights the importance of maintaining optimal midlife vascular health, revealing that participants with none of three key risk factors enjoyed an average of 30.1 dementia-free years, while those with all three risks averaged just 17.5 years. By age 85, only 7% of adults with these risk factors remained free of dementia, compared to 35% of those without any risks, with women living an average of 18.1 years without dementia and men 16.6 years. Additionally, the study found that white participants lived an average of 19.6 years without dementia, while Black participants averaged 16 years, underscoring the critical need for awareness as 42 percent of Americans are at risk for developing dementia after age 55.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 11:26 UTC)

A new study led by Dr. Josef Coresh and a team of researchers from the US and China reveals that avoiding type 2 diabetes, smoking, and high blood pressure could delay the onset of dementia by about 13 years. Analyzing health data from over 12,400 adults across four US communities, the study found that participants with normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and no smoking enjoyed an average of 12.6 additional dementia-free years, while those with all three risk factors were more than twice as likely to develop dementia. The findings, published in the journal Neurology Open Access, emphasize the importance of managing vascular health in middle age and suggest that lifestyle changes, such as adopting a lower-fat, plant-based diet and engaging in regular exercise, can help mitigate these health risks.