Press Release | Zurich, Switzerland | 13 March, 2025 

The Women’s Brain Foundation (WBF), a global non-profit organization leading research and advocacy for the consideration of sex and gender differences in brain and mental health research and policy, has published, in collaboration with the London School of Economics, a groundbreaking study highlighting increasing physical activity through off-road cycle lanes can significantly reduce dementia-related health and care costs, particularly for women. 
 

Published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, this study builds on the findings of the “Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission” which underscored the benefit of physical activity in reducing dementia risk.  

Dr. Santuccione Chadha, founder of WBF, explains that the approach followed by the researchers was based on modelling different case scenarios where physical activity—specifically through off-road cycle lanes— was increased in the female and male population, and calculating the potential reduction in dementia rate and health and social care costs.  

Key Highlights: 

• Based on UK census data, women are less engaged in physical activity than men 

• Previous studies have shown that higher levels of physical activity, compared to low levels, lead to a 14 % reduction in risk of dementia  

• Current dementia-related lifetime costs in the UK are estimated at £1,090 billion, with total lifetime healthcare costs reaching £3,326 billion. 

• If cycling rates increase as projected, dementia-related lifetime costs could be reduced by up to £7 billion, with total health and social care savings of £1.9 billion. 

• Off-road cycle lanes are particularly effective in addressing the gender gap in physical activity, providing a safer and more accessible environment for women to adopt cycling as a form of exercise. 

• Women stand to gain the most from targeted infrastructure changes. 

The Link Between Physical Activity and Dementia 

The study quantifies the economic and health benefits of boosting cycling participation and adds to the economic potential of investing in women’s health by showing that increasing cycling rates—especially among women—could lead to billions in health and social care savings while reducing the lifetime risk of dementia.  

Dementia is one of the most pressing global health challenges, with nearly 50% of cases linked to modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that regular exercise supports brain health by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and enhancing neuroplasticity—all of which contribute to lowering dementia risk. 

Women face a higher lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to men, due to both biological and social factors. However, infrastructure improvements that encourage safe and accessible physical activity can help close this gap and promote healthier aging for all. 

Policy Implications 

The study highlights the importance of population-level interventions in dementia prevention strategies. While individual lifestyle changes are valuable, structural changes—such as investing in off-road cycle lanes—can lead to widespread public health and economic benefits. 

“Our findings demonstrate that investments are needed not only in specific prevention campaigns, educating women to the benefits of physical activity, but also redesign urban planning for cycling as a key public health strategy” said Dr. Antonella Santuccione Chadha, one of the senior authors of the study. “If we want to reduce the long-term burden of dementia, we need to redesign a female inclusive society specifically reducing the risk in this population.” 
 

This study was funded by Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.  
 

The Women’s Brain Foundation continues to advocate for sex- and gender-informed approaches to brain health research and policy. 

Learn more about the Women’s Brain Foundation’s work: https://www.womensbrainproject.com/  

For media inquiries, please contact: 
info@womensbrainproject.com