Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-46n74 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-06T08:51:45.237Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Public perceptions about risk and protective factors for cognitive health and impairment: a review of the literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2015

Daniela B. Friedman ,
Katie Becofsky ,
Lynda A. Anderson ,
Lucinda L. Bryant ,
Rebecca H. Hunter ,
Susan L. Ivey ,
Basia Belza ,
Rebecca G. Logsdon ,
Sarah Brannon  and
Ann E. Vandenberg
...Show all authors
Daniela B. Friedman*
Affiliation:
Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
Katie Becofsky
Affiliation:
Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
Lynda A. Anderson
Affiliation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Healthy Aging Program, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Lucinda L. Bryant
Affiliation:
Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
Rebecca H. Hunter
Affiliation:
Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
Susan L. Ivey
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
Basia Belza
Affiliation:
Health Promotion Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Rebecca G. Logsdon
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosocial & Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Sarah Brannon
Affiliation:
Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
Ann E. Vandenberg
Affiliation:
Center for Health in Aging, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Shih-Yin Lin
Affiliation:
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Daniela B. Friedman, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, 915 Greene Street, Suite 235, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA. Phone: +1-803-576-5641; Fax: +1-803-576-5624. Email: dbfriedman@sc.edu.
Get access

Abstract

Background:

Preventing and/or delaying cognitive impairment is a public health priority. To increase awareness of and participation in behaviors that may help maintain cognitive function or reduce risk of impairment, we need to understand public perceptions about risk and protective factors.

Methods:

We conducted a scoping review of studies examining the public's perceptions about risk and protective factors related to cognitive health and impairment published since the 2007 National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health.

Results:

A search of five databases yielded 1,115 documents published between June 2007 and December 2013. Initial review of abstracts identified 90 potentially eligible studies. After full-article review, 30 met inclusion criteria; four additional articles identified in reference lists also met inclusion criteria. Of the 34, 16 studies addressed Alzheimer's disease (AD) specifically, 15 dementia broadly, 5 mild to moderate cognitive impairment, and 8 normal functioning, with some content overlap. Across studies, respondents reported genetics (n = 14 studies), older age (n = 8), stress (n = 7), brain/head injury (n = 6), and mental illness/brain disease (n = 6) as perceived risk factors for AD and dementia. Protective factors most commonly identified for maintaining cognitive health were intellectual/mental stimulation (n = 13), physical activity (n = 12), healthy diet (n = 10), and social/leisure activities (n = 10).

Conclusions:

Studies identified genetics and older age as key perceived risk factors more so than behaviors such as smoking. Individuals perceived that numerous lifestyle factors (e.g. intellectual stimulation, physical activity) could protect against cognitive impairment, AD, and/or dementia. Results can inform national and international education efforts about AD and other dementias.

Keywords

cognitionAlzheimer’s diseasedementiascoping reviewpublic perceptionsrisk factorsprotective factors

Information

Type
Review Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 27 , Issue 8 , August 2015 , pp. 1263 - 1275
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Albert, M. S.et al. (2007). The healthy brain and our aging population: translating science to public health practice. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 3, S3–S5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Alzheimer's Association (2014). Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Chicago, IL: Alzheimer's Association.Google Scholar
Alzheimer's Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). The Healthy Brain Initiative: the Public Health Road Map for State and National Partnerships, 2013–2018. Chicago, IL: Alzheimer's Association.Google Scholar
Alzheimer's Disease International (2014). World Alzheimer Report 2014: Dementia and Risk Reduction. An Analysis of Protective and Modifiable Factors [Online]. London, England: Alzheimer's Disease International. Available at: http://www.alz.co.uk/research/WorldAlzheimerReport2014.pdf. Accessed 21 September 2014.Google Scholar
Anderson, L. A. and McConnell, S. R. (2007a). Cognitive health: an emerging public health issue. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 3, S70–S73.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Anderson, L. A. and McConnell, S. R. (2007b). The healthy brain and our aging population: translating science to public health practice. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 3, S1–S2.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Anderson, L. N., McCaul, K. D. and Langley, L. K. (2011). Common-sense beliefs about the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Aging & Mental Health, 15, 922–931.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Arksey, H. and O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 19–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ayalon, L. (2013). Re-examining ethnic differences in concerns, knowledge, and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease: results from a national sample. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28, 1288–1295.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beard, R. L., Fetterman, D. J., Wu, B. and Bryant, L. (2009). The two voices of Alzheimer's: attitudes toward brain health by diagnosed individuals and support persons. The Gerontologist, 49 (Suppl. 1), S40–S49.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blay, S. L. and Piza Peluso Ede, T. (2008). The public's ability to recognize Alzheimer disease and their beliefs about its causes. Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders, 22, 79–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bowes, A., McCabe, L., Wilson, M. and Craig, D. (2012). ‘Keeping your brain active’: the activities of people aged 50–65 years. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 27, 253–261.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). The CDC Healthy Brain Initiative: Progress 2006–2011. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Google Scholar
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alzheimer's Association (2007). The Healthy Brain Initiative: a National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health. Chicago, IL: Alzheimer's Association.Google Scholar
Connell, C. M., Scott Roberts, J. and McLaughlin, S. J. (2007). Public opinion about Alzheimer disease among blacks, hispanics, and whites: results from a national survey. Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders, 21, 232– 240.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Connell, C. M., Scott Roberts, J., McLaughlin, S. J. and Akinleye, D. (2009). Racial differences in knowledge and beliefs about Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer's Disease & Associated Disorders, 23, 110–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Daviglus, M. L.et al. (2011). Risk factors and preventive interventions for Alzheimer disease: state of the science. Archives of Neurology, 68, 1185–1190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Department of Health and Human Services (2010). Healthy People 2020: Dementias, Including Alzheimer's Disease [Online]. Available at: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=7. Accessed 1 February 2013.Google Scholar
Department of Health and Human Services (2012). National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease [Online]. Available at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/napa/natlplan.shtml. Accessed 30 January 2013.Google Scholar
Friedman, D. B.et al. (2011). Ethnically diverse older adults’ beliefs about staying mentally sharp. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 73, 27–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Friedman, D. B.et al. (2013). Beliefs and communication practices regarding cognitive functioning among consumers and primary care providers in the United States, 2009. Preventing Chronic Disease, 10, E58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grant, M. J. and Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26, 91–108.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gray, H. L., Jimenez, D. E., Cucciare, M. A., Tong, H. Q. and Gallagher-Thompson, D. (2009). Ethnic differences in beliefs regarding Alzheimer disease among dementia family caregivers. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17, 925–933.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hebert, L. E., Weuve, J., Scherr, P. A. and Evans, D. A. (2013). Alzheimer disease in the United States (2010–2050) estimated using the 2010 census. Neurology, 80, 1778–1783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hendrie, H. C.et al. (2006). The NIH cognitive and emotional health project. Report of the critical evaluation study committee. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2, 12–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hudson, J. M., Pollux, P. M., Mistry, B. and Hobson, S. (2012). Beliefs about Alzheimer's disease in Britain. Aging & Mental Health, 16, 828–835.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ivey, S. L.et al. (2013). Experiences and concerns of family caregivers providing support to people with dementia: a cross-cultural perspective. Dementia (London), 12, 806–820.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laditka, S. B.et al. (2009). Attitudes about aging well among a diverse group of older Americans: implications for promoting cognitive health. The Gerontologist, 49 (Suppl. 1), S30–S39.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laditka, S. B.et al. (2013). How do older people describe others with cognitive impairment? A multi-ethnic study in the United States. Ageing & Society, 33, 369–392.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laditka, S. B.et al. (2012). Beliefs about promoting cognitive health among Filipino Americans who care for persons with dementia. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 75, 273–296.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, S. E., Diwan, S. and Yeo, G. (2010). Causal attributions of dementia among Korean American immigrants. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 53, 743–759.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Levac, D., Colquhoun, H. and O’Brien, K. K. (2010). Scoping studies: advancing the methodology. Implementation Science, 5, 69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Low, L. F. and Anstey, K. J. (2007). The public's perception of the plausibility of dementia risk factors is not influenced by scientific evidence. Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 23, 202–206.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Low, L. F. and Anstey, K. J. (2009). Dementia literacy: recognition and beliefs on dementia of the Australian public. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 5, 43–49.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Low, L. F.et al. (2011). Recognition, attitudes and causal beliefs regarding dementia in italian, greek and chinese australians. Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 30, 499–508.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Luck, T.et al. (2012). Attitudes of the German general population toward early diagnosis of dementia–results of a representative telephone survey. PLoS ONE, 7, e50792.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McIlvane, J. M., Popa, M. A., Robinson, B., Houseweart, K. and Haley, W. E. (2008). Perceptions of Illness, coping, and well-being in persons with mild cognitive impairment and their care partners. Alzheimer's Disease & Associated Disorders, 22, 284–292.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McParland, P., Devine, P., Innes, A. and Gayle, V. (2012). Dementia knowledge and attitudes of the general public in Northern Ireland: an analysis of national survey data. International Psychogeriatrics, 24, 1600–1613.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moscarillo, T. J.et al. (2007). Knowledge of and attitudes about Alzheimer disease genetics: report of a pilot survey and two focus groups. Community Genetics, 10, 97– 102.Google ScholarPubMed
Norton, S., Matthews, F. E., Barnes, D.E., Yaffe, K. and Brayne, C. (2014). Potential for primary prevention for Alzheimer's disease: an analysis of population-based data. The Lancet, 13, 788–794.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Otilingam, P. G. and Gatz, M. (2008). Perceptions of dementia among Asian Indian Americans. AAPI Nexus: Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Policy, Practice and Community, 6, 45–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Park, M. H.et al. (2008). Awareness of putative risk factors for Alzheimer's disease among elderly Koreans. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 20, 20–24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Price, A. E., Corwin, S. J., Friedman, D. B., Laditka, S. B., Colabianchi, N. and Montgomery, K. M. (2011). Older adults’ perceptions of physical activity and cognitive health: implications for health communication. Health Education & Behavior, 38, 15–24.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Riva, M., Caratozzolo, S., Zanetti, M., Vicini Chilovi, B., Padovani, A. and Rozzini, L. (2012). Knowledge and attitudes about Alzheimer's disease in the lay public: influence of caregiving experience and other socio-demographic factors in an Italian sample. Aging-Clinical & Experimental Research, 24, 509–516.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rovner, B. W., Casten, R. J. and Harris, L. F. (2013). Cultural diversity and views on Alzheimer disease in older African Americans. Alzheimer's Disease & Associated Disorders, 27, 133–137.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stansbury, K. L., Harley, D. A. and Brown-Hughes, T. (2010a). African-American urban clergy's literacy of Alzheimer's disease. Social Work in Mental Health, 8, 254–266.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stansbury, K. L., Marshall, G. L., Harley, D. A. and Nelson, N. (2010b). Rural African American clergy: an exploration of their attitudes and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 53, 352–365.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sullivan, K., Muscat, T. and Mulgrew, K. (2007). Knowledge of Alzheimer's disease among patients, carers, and noncarer adults: misconceptions, knowledge gaps, and correct beliefs. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 23, 137–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
VonDras, D. (2009). Lay appraisal of cognitive impairment symptoms and related prevention beliefs in a community-dwelling sample of midlife and older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 28, 342–368.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilcox, S.et al. (2009). Perceptions and beliefs about the role of physical activity and nutrition on brain health in older adults. The Gerontologist, 49 (Suppl. 1), S61–S71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wu, B., Goins, R. T., Laditka, J. N., Ignatenko, V. and Goedereis, E. (2009). Gender differences in views about cognitive health and healthy lifestyle behaviors among rural older adults. The Gerontologist, 49, S72–S78.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yeo, L. H., Horan, M. A., Jones, M. and Pendleton, N. (2007). Perceptions of risk and prevention of dementia in the healthy elderly. Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 23, 368–371.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed