From basic science to prevention – the imperative for a convergence science approach for cardio- and cerebrovascular risk reduction in females with diabetes

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dementia are leading causes of death in women, with dementia disproportionately affecting females. Both share risk factors such as type 2 and gestational diabetes. While diabetes and CVD risk factors are well studied, gaps remain in understanding dementia's lifespan influences, sex-specific effects, and social determinants. This report advocates a convergence science approach, integrating basic, behavioral, and implementation sciences, to address these gaps. We propose a novel framework to examine shared cardiometabolic risks across the lifespan, enabling targeted early interventions to reduce dementia burden and improve heart-brain health outcomes in women.