Walking Speed Linked to Dementia Risk: Study

A study published in JAMA involving nearly 17,000 adults over 65 found that a slower walking pace is linked to a higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Participants who experienced both a decline in walking speed and cognitive function had the highest risk. The study suggests that walking speed, being easy and inexpensive to measure, could be used in dementia risk assessments. Maintaining a brisk walking pace and engaging in healthy behaviors can help protect brain health and reduce dementia risk.