The 20 modifiable factors outlined in the updated guidelines span lifestyle choices, medical conditions, and environmental risks across the lifespan: [1, 2]
Healthy Behaviors & Lifestyle
- Physical Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyle.
- Unhealthy Diet: Lacking nutrient-dense foods.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking cigarettes or using nicotine.
- Harmful Alcohol Consumption: Excessive or binge drinking.
- Cognitive Inactivity: Lack of mental and brain stimulation.
- Social Isolation: Loneliness and low social engagement.
- Sleep Problems: Poor sleep quality or chronic insomnia. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Cardiometabolic & Systemic Health
- Hypertension: High blood pressure.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar.
- Dyslipidemia: High LDL cholesterol.
- Obesity: High body mass index, particularly in midlife.
- Stroke: History of cerebrovascular events.
- HIV: Living with untreated or unmanaged human immunodeficiency virus. [1, 2, 5, 6, 7]
Neurological & Sensory Health
- Hearing Loss: Midlife hearing impairment.
- Vision Impairment: Untreated or uncorrected eyesight loss.
- Depression: Unmanaged clinical depression.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Severe or repeated head trauma. [1, 2, 6]
Early Life & Environment
- Low Educational Attainment: Lack of early-life education and cognitive building.
- Outdoor Air Pollution: Exposure to fine ambient particulate matter.
- Indoor Air Pollution: Household air pollution from heating or cooking toxins. [1, 2, 5, 8]