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The Ethics of Dementia Risk Reduction

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Living with Dementia

Part of the book series: Advances in Neuroethics ((AIN))

Abstract

The thought of developing Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (ADRD) is a frightening prospect for many of those aging. Little is known about the exact causes of ADRD. This creates an environment of worry, speculation, superstition, inaccurate information, and irrational fears surrounding who is at risk. Far too many people wrongly believe that developing ADRD is inevitable as you age, and all one can do is hope for the best and wait for pharmaceutical intervention. The truth is much more complicated. Certain lifestyle choices, such as physical activity and diet, may support brain health and delay onset or prevent ADRD. With few drawbacks and plenty of known benefits, why are more people not actively trying to lower their risk of Alzheimer’s disease? This chapter will outline the risk and protective factors associated with ADRD and explore the ethics of ADRD prevention from an individual and societal perspective. Fear appeals, victim blaming, government paternalism, and more will be examined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Elise Eifert

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  1. Elise Eifert
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Correspondence to Elise Eifert .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and Science Technology and Society (STS) Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Veljko Dubljević

  2. Department of Philosophy, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Frances Bottenberg

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Eifert, E. (2021). The Ethics of Dementia Risk Reduction. In: Dubljević, V., Bottenberg, F. (eds) Living with Dementia. Advances in Neuroethics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62073-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62073-8_1

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