WHO issues new dementia prevention guidelines, citing up to 45% risk reduction

The World Health Organization has released an updated set of guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The new recommendations state that up to 45 % of dementia risk is linked to modifiable lifestyle and medical factors. Key measures include regular physical activity, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a balanced diet, staying socially engaged, mental stimulation, use of hearing aids for hearing loss, and controlling chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and exposure to air pollution.

WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “We know more than ever about the factors that influence dementia risk, and these guidelines turn that knowledge into concrete action.” The guidance adds that 57 million people worldwide currently live with dementia and about 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year. The disease also imposes a global economic burden of roughly US$1.3 trillion annually, half of which is attributed to unpaid caregiving.

The updated document is intended for health professionals, policy makers and public‑health programmes to integrate preventive actions throughout the life course, emphasizing that prevention is the most effective tool available while no cure exists.