WHO: Up To 45% Dementia Risk Can Be Prevented Or Delayed

WHO: Up To 45% Dementia Risk Can Be Prevented Or Delayed

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that up to 45 percent of the risks associated with dementia can be prevented or delayed. The UN health agency released updated guidelines intended to provide countries with evidence-based recommendations to protect cognitive health across a person's life course.

Dementia is caused by brain diseases that impair memory, thinking, and the ability to function. It currently stands as the seventh leading cause of death and remains a primary driver of dependency and disability for older populations globally. More than 57 million people live with the condition worldwide, with nearly 10 million new diagnoses occurring every year. Among these cases, Alzheimer disease is the most prevalent, estimated to account for 60 to 70 percent of dementia cases.

According to the WHO, the condition is not an inevitable part of aging, despite being more common in those over 65. Because no cure or widely accessible treatment exists, the organization emphasized that prevention is the most effective strategy to reduce the number of cases.

Modifiable Risk Factors and Interventions

The WHO attributed up to 45 percent of dementia risks to modifiable factors. These include:

• Tobacco and alcohol use
• Physical inactivity and social isolation
• Air pollution, which is included as a new recommendation in the updated guidance
• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), specifically diabetes and high blood pressure

To combat these risks, the guidelines recommend lifestyle interventions such as adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity. For adults with normal cognition or those experiencing mild cognitive impairment, the WHO suggests cognitive stimulation, training, and engagement in social activities. Additionally, the management of cardiometabolic conditions — including high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes — can lower risk. The guidelines also suggest that hearing aids may be offered as part of risk-reduction strategies.

However, the WHO advises against the use of certain supplements to prevent dementia in individuals without a diagnosed deficiency. Due to a lack of evidence regarding benefits and the potential for unexpected harmful effects, the guidelines do not recommend:

• Vitamins B and E
• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
• Multivitamins and minerals

Economic and Social Impact

The societal burden of dementia extends beyond health, affecting the safety, dignity, and independence of individuals. Devora Kestel, director of the WHO's NCDs and mental health department, stated in a foreword to the guidance that the challenges faced by families and communities affect well-being and independence, noting This is not a distant issue; it touches all of us.

The economic toll is substantial. The WHO estimates that dementia costs the global economy US$1.3 trillion annually. Approximately half of that cost is derived from unpaid care provided by friends and family members.

The Role of Cognitive Reserve

While the WHO focuses on broad public health measures, separate research into "brain reserve" explores how extra connections between nerve cells help the brain withstand disease and aging. Some preliminary findings suggest that multilingualism may play a role; speaking two languages was linked to a six-year delay in brain aging, while speaking four languages was linked to a delay of up to 13 years. A study of more than 86,000 people across 27 European countries indicated that monolingual people were more than twice as likely to show faster brain aging, while bilingualism reduced that risk by 30 percent.

But these findings are complex. Combined studies indicate that speaking multiple languages may delay diagnosis by two to five years rather than prevent the disease itself. This suggests that increased vocabulary and problem-solving skills might hide early symptoms. data from Indonesia, which has more than 200 million multilingual people, shows that dementia rates in some areas are double those of wealthier western nations, particularly among women and those in rural areas with low education. This suggests that social activity and exercise may be more decisive than language skills alone.

Moving Forward

The updated guidelines build upon the first set of recommendations issued in 2019, reflecting a significantly grown evidence base. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that countries now possess clear recommendations they can implement immediately.

The WHO is calling for a stronger integration of services between brain health, mental health, and noncommunicable diseases to reduce the global burden of dementia in the coming decades.