More than 57 million people around the world live with dementia, and almost 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 60 to 70 percent of all dementia cases..
Although there is no cure for this debilitating and irreversible brain disease, the WHO stated Growing scientific evidence shows that many risk factors can be reduced through healthier lifestyles.better management of chronic diseases and reduced exposure to environmental hazards.
Knowledge is growing
“Today we know more than ever about the factors that drive dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action,” said WHO Director-General Tedros. “Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations that they can put into practice immediately to protect people’s cognitive health.”
The new guidance updates the 2019 WHO recommendations and reflects the latest evidence on the prevention of cognitive decline across the lifespan.
The agency recommends:
- Regular physical activity
- stop using tobacco
- reduce alcohol consumption
- and eat a healthy diet
It also highlights the importance of cognitive training, social engagement, and management of conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
For the first time, WHO also recommends reducing exposure to air pollution as part of dementia prevention strategies. Using hearing aids may also help reduce the risk of dementia in some people.
However, the WHO advises against taking vitamin B or E supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, or multivitamins alone to prevent dementia unless a deficiency has been diagnosed, citing insufficient evidence that supplements provide benefits that outweigh potential harms.
Increasing load
Beyond memory loss and cognitive decline, dementia can undermine a person’s independence, dignity and security, while placing heavy emotional and financial burdens on families and caregivers.
The WHO estimates that dementia costs the global economy around $1.3 trillion each year.and about half of that burden comes from unpaid care provided by family and friends.
The agency said integrating dementia prevention into services for non-communicable diseases, mental health and brain health could help reduce the overall burden of the condition and enable more people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives.
