The new recommendations, published by the global health agency, provide evidence-based strategies to help countries and individuals take practical steps toward protecting cognitive health and delaying the onset of dementia. According to the WHO, as much as 45 per cent of dementia risk is linked to factors that can be modified, making prevention a key pillar in tackling the disease.
Dementia is a condition that affects memory, thinking, reasoning, language and the ability to perform everyday activities. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by damage to the brain, with Alzheimer's disease remaining the most common cause.
The WHO estimates that more than 57 million people are currently living with dementia globally, while nearly 10 million new cases are diagnosed every year. Although there is currently no cure, the organisation stressed that significant progress can be made by reducing exposure to preventable risk factors.
Among the leading modifiable risks identified by the WHO are tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, social isolation, air pollution, and chronic non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the updated guidance reflects growing scientific understanding of dementia prevention and provides governments with practical tools to improve public health.
"We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action.
"Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations they can put into practice immediately to protect people's cognitive health," Ghebreyesus said.
The updated guidelines recommend a combination of healthy lifestyle habits and preventive interventions designed to lower the risk of cognitive decline. These include engaging in regular physical activity, quitting tobacco use, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, and reducing exposure to air pollution.
The WHO also highlighted the importance of cognitive training, mental stimulation and active participation in social activities, particularly for adults with normal cognitive function or those experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Such activities, the organisation said, can help strengthen brain health and potentially delay the progression of dementia.
In addition, the guidelines emphasise the need for proper management of cardiometabolic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, noting that effective treatment of these illnesses can contribute significantly to reducing dementia risk.
The WHO said the revised recommendations reflect the latest scientific evidence and innovations in dementia prevention, urging countries to integrate the guidance into national health policies as part of broader efforts to curb the rising global impact of the condition.