Reduce Risks to Cognitive Health

Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are all thought to influence cognitive health. Some of these factors may contribute to a decline in thinking skills and the ability to perform everyday tasks such as driving, paying bills, taking medicine, and cooking.

Genetic factors are passed down (inherited) from a parent to child and cannot be controlled. But environmental and lifestyle factors can be changed, particularly those you can control yourself. These factors include: 

• Health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and depression
• Brain injuries
• Some medicines, or improper use of them
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor diet
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Sleep problems
• Little social activity and being alone most of the time