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WHO says almost half of dementia cases ‘preventable’ with new health guidelines
7NEWS • • health
Key Points:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new evidence-based guidelines stating that nearly 45% of dementia cases are preventable through addressing modifiable risk factors.
- WHO estimates that 57 million people globally have dementia, with 10 million new cases annually, costing the global economy approximately $1.3 trillion each year.
- Key modifiable risk factors include tobacco and alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution, and noncommunicable diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
- The guidelines recommend lifestyle interventions like cognitive training, social engagement, and physical activity to reduce dementia risk, while advising against vitamin supplements due to insufficient evidence.
- Experts emphasize the importance of lifelong brain health and call for government and public health system involvement to effectively implement these preventive measures.
