Working memory: the surprising decline of dementia

<p>A dive into the data reveals that, despite dire past predictions, the prevalence of dementia is actually <a href="economist.com/briefing/2026/07/09/how-dementia…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">waning</a>. We take a look at Pix, a beloved Brazilian digital-payments system, and why it <a href="economist.com/the-americas/2026/07/19/brazils-…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">so bothers</a> President Donald Trump. And we attend one of the concerts that reveals how the appeal of emo music is <a href="economist.com/culture/2026/07/16/emo-culture-w…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">holding strong</a> across generations. </p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent</li><li>Carla Subirana, news editor</li><li>Sarah Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The Intelligence”</li><li>Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>dementia, global health statistics, ageing</li><li>Brazil, Pix, payment systems, Donald Trump</li><li>emo music, My Chemical Romance</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href="subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus"; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>subscribe to The Economist</em></a><em>.</em></p><br><p><br></p>

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