Avoiding three midlife risks adds 13 dementia-free years

A new study has found that avoiding three major health risks in middle age is associated with living over a decade longer without dementia. Research published on August 5, 2026, indicates that maintaining normal blood pressure, avoiding diabetes, and not smoking between the ages of 45 and 65 can add an average of 13 more dementia-free years later in life compared to individuals who have all three risk factors.

The research, led by a team at NYU Langone Health, analyzed data from more than 12,000 adults in the United States who were free of dementia at an average age of 55. Participants were followed for an average of 26 years. During the study period, approximately 3,000 participants developed dementia, while over 5,200 died without a dementia diagnosis.

The results showed a clear gradient of benefit. Participants with none of the three risk factors lived an average of 30.1 additional years free from dementia from age 55. Those with one risk factor had 26.3 dementia-free years, those with two had 21 years, and those with all three experienced just over 17 years. This translated to a nearly 13-year advantage for those avoiding all three risks. Senior investigator Dr. Josef Coresh...