More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of all dementia cases.
Although there is no cure for the debilitating and irreversible brain condition, WHO said growing scientific evidence shows that many risk factors can be reduced through healthier lifestyles, better management of chronic diseases and lower exposure to environmental hazards.
Knowledge is growing
“We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action,” said WHO Director-General Tedros. “Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations they can put into practice immediately to protect people’s cognitive health.”
The new guidance updates WHO’s 2019 recommendations and reflects the latest evidence on preventing cognitive decline across the life course.
The agency recommends:
- Regular physical activity
- stopping tobacco use
- reducing alcohol consumption
- and eating a healthy diet
It also highlights the importance of cognitive training, social engagement and managing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
For the first time, WHO also recommends reducing exposure to air pollution as part of dementia prevention strategies. The use of hearing aids may also help lower dementia risk in some people.
However, WHO advises against taking vitamin B or E supplements, omega-3 fatty acids or multivitamins solely to prevent dementia unless a deficiency has been diagnosed, citing insufficient evidence that the supplements provide benefits that outweigh potential harms.
Growing burden
Beyond memory loss and cognitive impairment, dementia can undermine a person’s independence, dignity and safety while placing heavy emotional and financial burdens on families and caregivers.
WHO estimates dementia costs the global economy around $1.3 trillion each year, with roughly half of that burden stemming from unpaid care provided by family members and friends.
The agency said integrating dementia prevention into services for noncommunicable diseases, mental health and brain health could help reduce the global burden of the condition and enable more people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives.
