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The World Health Organization (WHO) says up to 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors, including tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, air pollution and untreated chronic diseases.
In updated dementia prevention guidelines released on Wednesday, the UN health agency said conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, alongside social isolation, contribute significantly to dementia risk and should be managed early.
According to the WHO, more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed annually. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of all dementia cases.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said countries now have evidence-based recommendations that can be implemented immediately to protect cognitive health. He stressed that prevention remains the most effective strategy because there is currently no cure or widely accessible treatment for dementia.
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The organisation also recommended cognitive stimulation and training for adults with mild cognitive impairment, as well as stronger integration of brain health, mental health and non-communicable disease services.
The WHO estimated dementia costs the global economy about $1.3 trillion each year, with unpaid family care accounting for nearly half of that burden.
