Shaping the Fading Mind: How inequality and our senses predict dementia around the world
by Gindo Tampubolon of Manchester University

Tuesday 8 September 2026 at 6:30pm at the Indonesian Embassy,
30 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2BU, and by Zoom

As the world ages, dementia has transformed from a family tragedy into one of the most critical public health challenges of our time. But is the decline of our cognitive function purely a matter of genetic luck, or is it deeply woven into the fabric of how and where we live?

In this talk, global research will bridge the gap between biological ageing and social epidemiology across America, Britain, Europe, China and Indonesia. Drawing from harmonized data, Gindo will trace the invisible threads that connect our childhood and environments to our minds.

He will explore two vital areas uncovered by recent research:
* The shadow of childhood: How childhood poverty and early adversity epigenetically accelerate brain ageing.

* The cognitive contrast: Why health factors like central obesity reveal a puzzling paradox, acting as a cognitive risk factor in wealthy nations like Britain, yet correlating differently in Indonesia, where broader structural barriers like education play a massive role.

Gindo will also look at hope offered by recent research. Sensory loss (declining vision and hearing) acts as a powerful predictor of cognitive impairment. Yet, by understanding how isolation and sedentary lifestyles follow sensory decline, he will discuss some interventions. From correcting cataracts to fostering social connection, he will highlight how the fight against dementia begins long before old age.

Gindo Tampubolon teaches global health at Manchester University, and studies dementia. He leads the expert group on lifecourse and healthy ageing at the World Health Organization.