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What you need to know
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its 2026 guidelines on preventing dementia and cognitive decline, emphasizing new evidence-based strategies since their last recommendations in 2019.
- A significant new recommendation is to reduce exposure to air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is linked to increased dementia risk due to its potential to cause brain inflammation and oxidative stress.
- The WHO advises against taking vitamins B and E, omega-3 supplements, and multivitamins for dementia prevention in people without nutritional deficiencies, citing insufficient evidence and potential health risks from unnecessary supplementation.
- Hearing loss is now a major focus, with WHO recommending hearing aids to reduce dementia risk, as untreated hearing loss can increase cognitive decline through social isolation and increased brain strain.
- Additional updated guidance stresses the importance of cognitive training and maintaining social connections to support brain health and potentially delay cognitive decline.
