Lack of time may increase the risk of dementia
A new article published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity suggests that a lack of free time — described by researchers as “time inequality” — may be associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, argues that setting aside time to care for mental and brain health should be a priority. According to the authors, having available time is essential for maintaining habits that promote well-being, such as getting enough sleep, preparing healthy meals, and engaging in regular social interactions — activities that often compete with the demands of work, commuting, and other daily responsibilities.
Several lifestyle factors are already recognized as influencing dementia risk, including levels of physical activity, sleep quality, eating habits, social life, and even oral hygiene.
Epidemiologist Susanne Röhr emphasizes that “up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide could be prevented if modifiable risk factors were eliminated.” However, she notes that many people “simply don’t have the time to exercise, rest, eat well, or maintain social connections.”
The authors refer to this lack of time as “time poverty,” a barrier often overlooked in dementia prevention. The fast pace of modern life, combined with professional and family pressures, frequently prevents people from adopting healthy habits.
The problem is even more pronounced in certain groups, such as women — who continue to take on most caregiving responsibilities — and low-income workers, who often face long or irregular work hours.
According to the researchers, around 10 hours a day should ideally be devoted to “brain care,” which includes adequate sleep, a balanced diet, social interaction, and physical exercise.
However, psychology researcher Simone Reppermund acknowledges that “for many people, especially those in disadvantaged situations or with caregiving responsibilities, this is simply not feasible under current circumstances.” She argues that “addressing time poverty is essential if we want to take dementia prevention seriously.”
According to the study, potential solutions involve collective and structural measures, such as expanding community support services, implementing more flexible work policies (including four-day workweeks), improving public transportation, and ensuring the right to disconnect outside of working hours.
Neuropsychiatrist Perminder Sachdev, co-author of the article, points out that brain health policies have focused too heavily on individual behavior changes. “But unless people have the temporal resources to put these recommendations into practice, we risk leaving behind exactly those who need them the most,” he says.
He concludes that, just as governments address income inequality, action is also needed to tackle time inequality — a challenge that, if left unaddressed, could contribute to the continued rise in dementia cases over the coming decades.
