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

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