Almost half of dementia cases could be prevented—here’s what we can do

This encouraging article explores the World Health Organization’s updated advice on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Its central message is powerful: although dementia cannot always be prevented, up to 45 per cent of cases may be preventable or able to be delayed by addressing factors we can influence throughout life.

What you’ll learn

Protecting brain health is not about finding one miracle treatment. It involves a combination of everyday habits, appropriate healthcare and healthier environments.

The updated advice recommends:

• Staying physically active
• Eating a nutritious, balanced diet
• Avoiding tobacco
• Reducing harmful alcohol consumption
• Keeping the mind active through learning, cognitive stimulation and new challenges
• Remaining socially connected
• Managing high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol
• Identifying and treating hearing loss
• Reducing exposure to air pollution where possible

The article reinforces the close relationship between heart health and brain health. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol can affect blood vessels throughout the body—including those supplying the brain. Regular health checks and appropriate treatment are therefore important parts of dementia risk reduction.

The WHO also recognises cognitive stimulation and social engagement as meaningful protective strategies. Continuing to learn, maintaining relationships and participating in community life may help build cognitive reserve and support emotional wellbeing.

One important addition to the updated guidance is air pollution. This shows that dementia prevention is not solely an individual responsibility. Governments, workplaces and communities also have a role in creating environments that make healthy choices easier and reduce people’s exposure to preventable risks.

The advice also challenges the idea that dementia prevention can be achieved through supplements alone. Vitamins B and E, omega-3 supplements and multivitamins are not recommended specifically for preventing dementia when a person does not have a diagnosed deficiency. The stronger evidence supports a combination of healthy behaviours, medical risk management and social and cognitive activity.

More than 57 million people currently live with dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Dementia also costs the global economy an estimated US$1.3 trillion annually, around half of which is associated with unpaid care provided by families and friends. Prevention and delay therefore matter not only to individuals, but also to families, communities and health systems. Read the WHO’s updated guidance.

HEAL takeaway

Dementia is not always preventable, and developing it is never a person’s fault. But this research gives us genuine reason for hope: many of the actions that support our heart, body and emotional wellbeing also help protect our brain.

The HEAL approach brings these actions together—looking after our health, continuing to learn, staying physically and socially active, and living with connection and purpose. We do not need to change everything at once. One achievable step—booking a health check, taking a daily walk, treating hearing loss, reconnecting with someone or learning something new—can be a meaningful place to begin.

Small changes made throughout life can create big gains for future brain health.

Read the Sydney Morning Herald article

Please note this is a paid for subscription, however you can find the original World Health Organization news release on which the newspaper article is based below. It is free, authoritative and covers the key recommendations clearly:

https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2026-new-who-guidelines–up-to-45–of-dementia-risk-could-be-prevented-or-delayed?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A quick note from HEAL: These summaries are for general education and do not replace personalised medical advice. Speak with a qualified health professional about your individual health needs and risk factors.