1. Preventing a Complex Disease Like AD is a Challenge

Many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, are complex. They develop when genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors work together to cause a disease process to start and then progress. The importance of these factors may differ for each person. AD is one of these complex diseases. It develops over many years, and it appears to be affected by a number of factors that may increase or decrease a person’s risk of developing the disease. We don’t have control over some of the risk factors for AD. We can do something about other possible AD risk factors, though. The effect on any particular person of risk factor changes will likely depend on his or her genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle.

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