By: Sam (Seyed-Mohammad) Fereshtehnejad
Dementia is a growing public health crisis, with global cases expected to nearly triple by 2050, reaching over $152.8M, including more than 1.3 million Canadians. The burden extends beyond the emotional toll on families, costing Canada an estimated $40.1B annually, a figure projected to rise sharply without timely intervention. Current healthcare systems remain largely reactive, focusing on managing dementia after diagnosis instead of preventing it—a missed opportunity to delay or even avert this devastating disease. Recent data reveals that modifying dementia risk factors can prevent up to 40% of incident cases in the future.
For affected individuals, dementia is not just a distant possibility; it’s a looming threat. Dementia affects memory, cognition, and independence, creating emotional and financial strain for families. By 2040, individual care costs in Canada could reach $93,830 annually. Without proactive measures, this growing crisis will overwhelm families and healthcare systems alike.
The Personalized Multi-Domain Digital Platform for Dementia Prevention (PM(DP)*2) offers a transformative solution. This platform integrates data from electronic health records, wearable devices, and environmental factors to create personalized risk profiles. Using machine learning and generative AI, it recommends tailored strategies targeting modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being.
The PM(DP)*2 envisions a world where individuals at-risk of dementia can detect and address dementia risks early. By empowering users and engaging caregivers, healthcare providers, and policymakers, the platform promotes a proactive healthcare paradigm shift, reducing the prevalence of dementia and improving lives.
Studies, including the Lancet Commission Reports, validate the effectiveness of targeting modifiable risk factors in reducing the risk of dementia. PM(DP)*2 leverages these findings to ensure scalability. Recent data reveals that modifying dementia risk factors can prevent up to 40% of future incident cases.
The economic benefits of preventing dementia are substantial. Early interventions reduce long-term healthcare costs, alleviate caregiver burdens, and allow individuals to remain productive for longer. Even a modest 5% reduction in dementia onset among at-risk individuals could save $2.5 billion annually in healthcare costs.
Implementing PM(DP)*2 requires strategic policies, including funding for digital health infrastructure, incentives for preventive care adoption, and public health campaigns. Integrating the platform into healthcare frameworks ensures accessibility and equity, making dementia prevention achievable for all.
Dementia prevention is no longer a distant goal—it’s a pressing need. The PM(DP)*2 platform offers a proactive, personalized solution to help individuals manage modifiable risks and delay or prevent dementia. By investing in this vision today, we can build a future with fewer cases, reduced costs, and healthier communities. Together, we can change the narrative on dementia—starting now.