WHO unveils dementia prevention guidelines, citing 45% risk reduction

The World Health Organization released a second‑edition set of guidelines on risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia on 15 July 2026. The 168‑page document updates the 2019 recommendations and incorporates the latest evidence, estimating that up to 45 % of dementia risk can be attributed to modifiable factors.

The WHO advises regular physical activity, smoking cessation, reduced alcohol consumption, a balanced diet, social and cognitive engagement, and management of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and hearing loss. New recommendations also call for reducing exposure to ambient and household air pollution and for implementing multidomain interventions that tackle several risk factors together throughout the life‑course. The guidelines note that there is no cure for dementia, emphasize prevention as the most effective strategy, and caution against unproven supplements such as vitamins B, E or omega‑3 when no deficiency is diagnosed. With more than 57 million people living with dementia worldwide and around 10 million new diagnoses each year, the WHO estimates the economic burden at roughly US$1.3 trillion annually.