Raising awareness for dementia risk reduction through a public health campaign: a pre-post study

Irene Heger*, Sebastian Kohler, Martin van Boxtel, Marjolein de Vugt, KlaasJan Hajema, Frans Verhey, Kay Deckers*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objectives Evaluate the effect of a health promotion campaign aimed at increasing awareness about dementia risk reduction in middle-aged community-dwelling individuals in the Netherlands. Design A 10-month public health campaign using mass media and community participation, supported by eHealth. Population-level difference in awareness before and after the campaign, including variation between demographic groups, was assessed in two independent cross-sectional samples from the same target population. Setting The public health campaign was launched in the Province of Limburg, the Netherlands, targeting all inhabitants aged 40-75 years old. Three specific districts within the Province were chosen for an additional community participation approach, in which local stakeholders were invited to support the campaign. Results No pre- (n=590) post- (n=602) difference was observed in people agreeing to the statement that dementia risk reduction is possible (X-2(1)=1.27, p=0.260). For the individual lifestyle factors, physical activity (7.6% increase (X-2(1)=7.48, p=0.006)) and healthy diet (10.5% increase (X-2(1)=12.37, p

Original languageEnglish
Article number041211
Number of pages9
JournalBMJ Open
Volume10
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • dementia
  • preventive medicine
  • public health
  • ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE
  • INTERVENTION
  • PREVENTION
  • POPULATION
  • CONSENSUS
  • LIFE

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