World Health Organisation Updates Dementia Prevention Guidelines

The World Health Organisation issued updated dementia prevention guidelines that identify modifiable risk factors and recommend government-level interventions. Up to 45 per cent of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed by eliminating factors including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the first revision in seven years.

The guidelines advise a diet rich in leafy greens, berries, nuts and olive oil while limiting processed foods, combined with physical activity and cognitive stimulation such as courses, language learning or reading.

Avoiding exposure to air pollution from vehicle emissions and household sources such as fireplaces received new conditional recommendations. The guidelines strongly advise against vitamin and mineral supplements, including vitamins B and E, omega-3 fatty acids and multivitamins, for reducing cognitive decline.

A conditional recommendation against menopausal hormone therapy for women aged 65 and older was added for the specific purpose of lowering dementia risk.

Insufficient evidence was found for interventions targeting depression, sleep, stroke, traumatic brain injury, vision impairment or HIV to reduce dementia risk. More than 57 million people worldwide live with dementia, with nearly 10 million new diagnoses each year.

An estimated 446,500 Australians are projected to have dementia in 2026. The guidelines stress that individual actions alone will not reduce prevalence without coordinated government policies addressing social and commercial determinants of health.