The World Health Organization says a substantial share of dementia cases worldwide could be prevented by tackling modifiable risks through lifestyle and environmental measures.
New guidance targets prevention across the life span
In updated recommendations, the UN health agency emphasises actions individuals and policymakers can take to lower the chance of cognitive decline and dementia. The condition already affects an estimated 57 million people globally, with almost 10 million new diagnoses each year, and Alzheimer’s disease accounts for roughly 60 to 70 per cent of cases.
The guidance builds on advice first issued in 2019 and incorporates fresh research linking everyday behaviours and exposures with dementia risk. WHO highlights that while no cure exists, several risk factors are modifiable through changes in behaviour, management of chronic illness and environmental improvements.
Practical steps WHO recommends
- Be active: regular physical activity.
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol.
- Manage chronic conditions: control high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
- Stimulate the brain: cognitive training and social engagement.
- Reduce air pollution exposure: included for the first time in dementia prevention guidance.
- Treat hearing loss: use of hearing aids may lower dementia risk for those with hearing impairment.
“We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO also issues cautions: routine use of vitamin B, vitamin E, omega‑3 supplements or multivitamins solely to prevent dementia is not recommended unless a deficiency has been identified, because current evidence does not show that benefits outweigh possible risks.
| Measure | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Physical activity | Supports blood flow and vascular health linked to cognition |
| Air pollution reduction | Newly recognised environmental risk factor |
| Hearing aids for hearing loss | May reduce social isolation and cognitive strain |
The agency emphasises that dementia has consequences far beyond memory loss: it can erode independence, jeopardise safety and impose heavy emotional and financial burdens on families and caregivers. For Canadians and health systems worldwide, the guidance underlines prevention as a priority alongside care and research.
Readers interested in practical changes can start with achievable steps such as increasing daily activity, checking and managing blood pressure and glucose, engaging in regular social and mentally stimulating activities, and addressing hearing problems through assessment and devices when appropriate.
