The World Health Organisation says nearly 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing lifestyle and environmental risk factors.
In new guidelines released on Wednesday, the WHO listed smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, social isolation, air pollution, high blood pressure and diabetes as key risks that can be modified.
The global health body said dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and a major cause of disability among older adults. The condition impairs memory, thinking and the ability to perform daily activities. There is currently no cure.
The WHO estimates that more than 57 million people are living with dementia globally, with almost 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of all cases.
Devora Kestel, Director of WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, said the burden of dementia extends beyond patients.
“Behind these numbers are individuals, families, and communities navigating profound challenges that affect not only health, but dignity, independence, and well-being,” she said. “This is not a distant issue; it touches all of us.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the updated guidance builds on the organisation’s first dementia recommendations from 2019 and reflects new scientific evidence.
“We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action,” he said. “Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations they can put into practice immediately.”
The guidelines recommend cognitive stimulation for adults with mild cognitive impairment and better management of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. The WHO also called for stronger integration of services for noncommunicable diseases, mental health and brain health.
The organisation noted that dementia costs the global economy about $1.3 trillion annually, with nearly half of that from unpaid care by relatives and friends. It stressed that while risk increases after age 65, dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and prevention and early intervention are critical.
_Source: AFP_