Only one in five women know they are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent survey cited by TIME. Speaking at the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum in New York, campaigner Maria Shriver urged women to prioritise brain health much earlier in life, and called for more research into the ways midlife events such as menopause may affect long‑term dementia risk.
Why the message matters now
Shriver, who founded the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement and co‑founded the Comprehensive Women’s Health and Research Centre at Cleveland Clinic, said her public advocacy was driven by personal experience. Her father’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2003 reshaped how she and her family understood the disease and its consequences. According to the TIME report, she described confronting the mismatch between the memory of a parent and the person presented by the illness, and seeing the broad effects on family life.
Her central argument is that conversations about longevity often focus on physical fitness — “people in the gym” — while neglecting the brain. She said preventative attention to cognitive health should be part of women’s lives across the lifespan, not only when symptoms appear.
“When people talk about living longer, you’re seeing a lot about people in the gym,” Shriver said. “But what about their brains?” — TIME
Growing research on midlife influences
Researchers are increasingly investigating how the brain changes during menopause and whether interventions in that period might alter Alzheimer’s risk. The TIME coverage notes that evidence is evolving; for example, it remains unclear whether hormone therapy can reduce long‑term dementia risk.
Shriver emphasised that women’s health extends beyond menopause and includes mental and cognitive health throughout life. She pointed to recent public discussion about maternal mental health as an indicator that women are talking more openly about emotional and cognitive wellbeing.
- Awareness gap: Only 20% of women know their higher lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s.
- Research focus: Scientists are studying menopause as a potential window for modifying dementia risk, but findings are not definitive.
- Advocacy: Shriver’s organisations aim to increase research funding and public education about women’s brain health.
What this means for South African women
Although the TIME report and Shriver’s remarks are US‑centred, the implications are relevant here. South Africa faces rising numbers of older adults and a growing dementia burden; improving awareness, detection and support services for cognitive decline is a public health priority. Health professionals and policymakers should note three practical points:
| Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Public education campaigns | Close knowledge gaps so women can seek earlier assessment and adopt risk‑reduction behaviours. |
| Research investment | Support studies on sex‑specific risk factors and midlife interventions, including the role of reproductive factors. |
| Integrated care | Combine mental health and primary care services to detect cognitive and emotional needs across the lifespan. |
For clinicians, the message is to enquire about cognitive concerns in middle‑aged women and to acknowledge reproductive history, mood disorders and other potential contributors when assessing risk. For the public, the takeaway is simple: talk about brain health early, and discuss concerns with a clinic or doctor rather than self‑diagnosing.
Shriver’s remarks underscore a broader shift in how dementia prevention is framed: moving from late‑life reaction to midlife prevention. As evidence develops about windows of opportunity such as menopause, clear communication and accessible services will be needed so women can make informed choices.
Readers with concerns about memory, mood or cognitive change should consult a primary care clinic or a specialised memory clinic for assessment. Early evaluation can guide management of reversible contributors to cognitive decline and connect people to appropriate support.
Reporting is based on coverage by TIME at the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum.
