More than 57 million people worldwide live with dementia, with almost 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 60 to 70 percent of all dementia cases.
Although there is no cure for this debilitating and irreversible brain disease, the WHO said. growing scientific evidence shows that many risk factors can be reduced through a healthier lifestylebetter management of chronic diseases and reduced exposure to environmental risks.
Knowledge grows
“We know more today than ever before about the factors that determine dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action,” said WHO Director-General Tedros. “Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations that they can put into practice immediately to protect the cognitive health of citizens.”
The new guidance updates the 2019 WHO recommendations and reflects the latest evidence on preventing cognitive decline across the lifespan.
The agency recommends:
- Regular physical activity
- stop smoking
- reduce alcohol consumption
- and eat 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. Using hearing aids may also help reduce the risk of dementia in some people.
However, the WHO advises against taking supplements of vitamins B or E, omega-3 fatty acids, or multivitamins solely to prevent dementia unless a deficiency has been diagnosed, citing insufficient evidence demonstrating that supplements provide benefits that outweigh potential harms.
A growing burden
Beyond memory loss and cognitive impairment, dementia can undermine a person’s independence, dignity and safety while placing a heavy emotional and financial burden on families and caregivers.
The WHO estimates that dementia costs the global economy around $1.3 trillion each yearabout half of this burden comes from unpaid care provided by family members and friends.
The agency said integrating dementia prevention into noncommunicable disease, mental health and brain health services could help reduce the global burden of the disease and enable more people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives.
