The World Health Organization (WHO) has revised its guidelines on dementia prevention, which had not been updated since 2019. The new guidelines are based on recent scientific findings, suggesting that adjustments to lifestyle habits and healthcare can reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease.
Globally, it is estimated that about 57 million individuals live with dementia, with approximately 10 million new cases emerging annually. Dementia is defined as a syndrome that causes deterioration in cognitive abilities, affecting daily activities.
Alzheimer's disease remains the most frequent cause of dementia, responsible for about 60% to 70% of diagnoses, according to the WHO. In addition to daily challenges, the impact of this condition is reflected in mortality data; in 2019, dementia was the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, linked to about 1.6 million deaths that year.
Although there is currently no established cure for dementia, research shows that certain risk factors can be modified, paving the way for interventions aimed at slowing or mitigating cognitive decline.
New Indications for Prevention
With the update of the guidelines, the WHO began to emphasize the need to avoid exposure to high levels of air pollution, introducing this factor for the first time among measures to reduce the risk of dementia. Additionally, the organization stressed that there is insufficient evidence linking the consumption of vitamins B or E, fatty acids, and omega-3 to dementia prevention, so these supplements should not be promoted as a proven method of prevention.
The connection between hearing loss and dementia also gained prominence in the renewed recommendations. The WHO advises that people with hearing difficulties use hearing aids and other hearing assistance devices, as this can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. This correlation had already been observed in scientific studies, such as a study published in The Lancet in 2020, which pointed out this link.
The surveys conducted by the WHO also highlighted the financial aspect of dementia. According to the organization, the estimated annual cost of this condition to the global economy reaches approximately US$ 1.3 trillion.