Up to 45% of dementia cases preventable, WHO says

Nearly half of all dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by tackling modifiable risk factors, according to the World Health Organization. The global health body released updated guidelines on Wednesday, emphasizing lifestyle and environmental changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing physical activity, and mitigating air pollution.

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While there is no cure for dementia, up to 45 percent of the risks can be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including high blood pressure and diabetes.

Dementia is a significant global health challenge, ranking as the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and a major contributor to disability and dependence among older adults. The condition impairs memory, thinking, and daily activities due to diseases affecting the brain. The WHO estimates that over 57 million people currently live with dementia globally, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer's disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of all cases.

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Behind these numbers are individuals, families, and communities navigating profound challenges that affect not only health, but dignity, independence, and well-being.

Devora Kestel, Director of the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, highlighted the widespread impact of dementia, stating, “Behind these numbers are individuals, families, and communities navigating profound challenges that affect not only health, but dignity, independence, and well-being.” She added, “This is not a distant issue; it touches all of us.”

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This is not a distant issue; it touches all of us.

The revised guidelines build upon the WHO's 2019 dementia guidelines, incorporating new scientific evidence. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the updated guidance offers practical steps for countries to protect cognitive health. "We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action," Tedros said. The recommendations include cognitive stimulation for individuals with mild cognitive impairment and better management of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, which are known dementia risk factors. The WHO also advocates for integrating services for noncommunicable diseases, mental health, and brain health.

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We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action.