Health
45% of dementia risk can be prevented — WHO
Idowu Abdullahi
The World Health Organisation has said that up to 45 per cent of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed.
The WHO disclosed this in its newly updated guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
The global health body, in the guidelines released on its website, provided evidence-based recommendations to help prevent or delay the onset of dementia across the life course.
Dementia involves a decline in the mental abilities needed for daily living, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The health website added that the condition develops when there’s damage to the parts of the brain involved with learning, memory, decision-making and language.
“It’s not a specific disease. It’s a clinical description of a set of symptoms caused by underlying brain diseases. The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease,” it added.
WHO says more than 57 million people live with dementia worldwide and nearly 10 million people get newly diagnosed every year.h
The global health body said that while there is no cure for dementia, up to 45 per cent of the risks can be attributed to modifiable risk factors.
It listed the factors to include tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution, and noncommunicable diseases, including high blood pressure and diabetes.
WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the new recommendations can protect people from cognitive decline.
“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 WHO said the new guidelines reflect the latest evidence and innovations in dementia risk reduction and proven interventions that can effectively lower dementia risk.
The updated guidelines recommend several healthy behaviours and lifestyle interventions to reduce dementia risk, including cognitive training and cognitive stimulation and engagement in social activities for adults who have normal cognition or are experiencing mild cognitive impairment.
The updated advice also includes interventions that reduce risk of NCDs, including increasing physical activity, stopping tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, adopting a healthy diet, and a new recommendation to reduce exposure to air pollution.
It added that the management of cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can also help reduce dementia risk.
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