The World Health Organization released updated guidelines on 16 July 2026 to help countries reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The recommendations provide evidence-based measures that can be introduced throughout a person’s life to protect brain health and potentially prevent or delay dementia.
More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, while nearly 10 million new cases are diagnosed annually. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, accounting for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of dementia cases.
Although there is currently no cure for dementia, WHO estimates that up to 45 per cent of dementia risk is linked to modifiable factors. These include tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution, high blood pressure, diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the updated guidelines translate growing knowledge about dementia risk into practical action. He stressed that countries now have clear recommendations they can implement to protect cognitive health.
The guidelines build on WHO’s first dementia risk-reduction recommendations issued in 2019. They encourage regular physical activity, stopping tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, following a healthy diet and limiting exposure to air pollution.
WHO also recommends cognitive training, mental stimulation and participation in social activities for adults with normal cognitive function or mild cognitive impairment. Managing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol can further reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Hearing aids may also form part of dementia risk-reduction strategies for people experiencing hearing loss.
However, WHO does not recommend taking vitamins B and E, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins or mineral supplements to prevent dementia when no deficiency has been diagnosed. Current evidence does not show that their potential benefits outweigh the possibility of harmful effects.
Dementia affects memory, thinking, independence and the ability to perform daily activities. It also creates significant emotional and financial pressure for families and caregivers.
The condition costs the global economy an estimated US$1.3 trillion every year, with around half of that cost linked to unpaid care provided by relatives and friends.
WHO’s updated guidelines highlight the importance of integrating dementia prevention with services for noncommunicable diseases, mental health and brain health. Early awareness and action on preventable risk factors could help millions of people live longer, healthier and more independent lives.
