Time may be the missing piece in the puzzle of dementia prevention, according to a new study by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney’s Center for Healthy Brain Aging (CHeBA).
Published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, the paper argues that time—specifically how much free time people have—should be recognized as a key factor in brain health, alongside education and income.
The researchers introduce the idea of “temporal inequity,” which means the unequal distribution of time across different social groups.
This lack of time, or “time poverty,” may prevent many people from taking the steps known to reduce their risk of dementia—such as getting enough sleep, staying physically active, eating nutritious meals, and maintaining social connections.
Associate Professor Susanne Röhr, the study’s lead author, explained that while almost half of all dementia cases could potentially be prevented by addressing known risk factors, these healthy habits all require a critical ingredient: time.
“Many people don’t have the spare time to take care of their brain health,” she said. “Whether it’s due to long work hours, caregiving responsibilities, financial hardship, or simply the demands of modern life, people often struggle to find time for self-care. This creates a hidden barrier to preventing dementia.”
The paper points out that those most affected by time poverty often belong to vulnerable groups, such as low-income families, single parents, and caregivers. These groups are already at greater risk of health problems, and time poverty only makes the situation worse.
Professor Perminder Sachdev, Co-Director of CHeBA and a co-author of the study, emphasized the need for a shift in how brain health is approached.
“Right now, most brain health campaigns focus on changing individual behaviors,” he said. “But this doesn’t work if people aren’t given the time and resources to follow the advice. Just like we address income inequality, we need to start addressing time inequality.”
To tackle this problem, the researchers are calling for new policies and workplace changes that support what they call “temporal justice.” This means giving people more control over their time and helping ensure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to maintain good brain health.
Examples of such changes include flexible work schedules, the right to disconnect from work emails after hours, better access to childcare, improved public transport, and city planning that shortens commute times.
Associate Professor Simone Reppermund, another co-author, added that future research should also explore how much time is actually needed to take care of the brain.
“Our evidence shows that people need at least 10 hours a day for basic brain health activities—things like sleep, meals, exercise, and social time,” she said. “For many people, especially those with demanding jobs or caregiving roles, that just isn’t possible.”
The team concludes that time should be seen as both a valuable resource and a source of inequality. They are urging governments, researchers, and communities to include “temporal justice” in strategies for preventing dementia.
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The study is published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
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