Hormone changes could cause higher dementia rates among women

Key points

• A landmark study projects that 24.7 million people will be diagnosed with dementia each year by 2050, with women disproportionately affected. Researchers estimate about 11.4 million people developed dementia globally in 2023.
• The study, from the University of NSW's Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, analysed 38,418 people across 18 countries and territories. Researchers suggest factors including menopause, unequal education and job opportunities, and body mass index and physical activity may contribute.
• Experts say almost half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 risk factors.