Daijiworld Media Network - Geneva
Geneva, Jul 16: Up to 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, air pollution, physical inactivity and chronic diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
Dementia is the world's seventh leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability and dependency among older people. It is caused by brain diseases that impair memory, thinking and the ability to carry out everyday activities.
"While there is no cure for dementia, up to 45 per cent of the risks can be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including high blood pressure and diabetes," the WHO said in a statement.
According to the UN health agency, more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed every year.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of all cases.
"Behind these numbers are individuals, families, and communities navigating profound challenges that affect not only health, but dignity, independence, and well-being. This is not a distant issue; it touches all of us," said Devora Kestel, Director of the WHO's Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.
The WHO on Wednesday released updated guidelines for healthcare workers and policymakers aimed at preventing or delaying the onset of dementia. The organisation said the evidence base had expanded significantly since it first issued recommendations in 2019.
The revised guidance promotes early awareness and intervention to reduce the global burden of dementia in the coming decades.
The WHO emphasised that although dementia is more common among people aged over 65, it is not an inevitable part of ageing.
"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," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
With no cure or widely accessible treatment currently available, the organisation stressed that prevention remains the most effective strategy to reduce the number of dementia cases.
Among its recommendations, the WHO advised cognitive stimulation and training for adults with mild cognitive impairment, improved management of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, and stronger integration of services addressing noncommunicable diseases, mental health and brain health.
The WHO also highlighted the significant economic burden of dementia, estimating that the condition costs the global economy about US$1.3 trillion annually, with nearly half of the cost borne through unpaid care provided by family members and friends.
"Understanding risk factors and taking action to prevent dementia can improve health and quality of life, helping people live longer, healthier and more independent lives," the WHO said.