WHO: 45% of Dementia Cases Preventable Through Lifestyle

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that nearly 45% of dementia cases can be prevented by tackling lifestyle and environmental risk factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution. This statement was made in an update released on Wednesday, which aims to assist countries in reducing the growing burden of dementia through early prevention and improved healthcare interventions.

Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and a major contributor to disability among older adults. Currently, there are an estimated 57 million people living with dementia globally, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year.

Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately 60-70% of dementia cases. WHO Director for the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Devora Kestel, emphasized the profound challenges dementia poses to individuals and families.

The updated guidelines reflect new scientific evidence and provide practical steps for countries to protect cognitive health and manage conditions that increase dementia risk.