A growing body of research suggests that a significant proportion of dementia cases may be linked to modifiable risk factors, which can be tackled both on individual and policy levels. Raising awareness of these factors in the general public is thus crucial for promoting brain-healthy behaviors. On February 19th, the Alzheimer Centrum Limburg (Maastricht University) launched a booster campaign titled “We are the medicine ourselves” (“We zijn zelf het medicijn” in Dutch). This initiative aims to enhance public awareness of both established and emerging risk and protective factors for dementia.
The campaign, rolled out in various parts of the Netherlands, features posters and other visual materials in public spaces, and social media, along with advertisements on local radio and television and a dedicated website. Presented materials center around the following recommendations:
1) Eat healthily - Follow a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit and vegetables, whole-grain products, nuts, olive oil and fatty fish
2) Be physically active
3) Stay curious - Engage in cognitive and social activities
4) Take good care of your heart – Avoid smoking, limit salt and alcohol intake and regularly monitor your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol level.
This effort builds on the original campaign launched in 2018, which also introduced “MyBraincoach” (“MijnBreincoach”), a free app designed to help individuals assess their personal dementia risk and identify lifestyle areas for improvement. Similar awareness campaigns have, among others, been introduced in Belgium (“Twee voor de prijs van één”, Expertisecentrum Dementie Vlaanderen) and Denmark (launched by Alzheimerforeningen) and the UK (launched by Alzheimer’s Research UK). For more information on the campaign in Dutch, please visit: wezijnzelfhetmedicijn.nl