Nairobi: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday released updated global guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, revealing that up to 45 percent of dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.
According to Kenya News Agency, more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed annually. Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of all dementia cases. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the latest evidence equips countries with practical measures to protect cognitive health throughout life. “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,” he stated.
The guidelines identify key modifiable risk factors linked to dementia, including tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, social isolation, air pollution, high blood pressure, and diabetes. WHO recommends regular physical activity, healthy diets, quitting tobacco, reducing alcohol consumption, staying socially engaged, and participating in cognitive training and stimulation activities. The guidelines also advocate for better management of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, while recommending measures to reduce exposure to air pollution. Additionally, hearing aids may be offered as part of dementia risk-reduction strategies.
However, WHO advises against the routine use of vitamin B and E supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, and multivitamins to prevent dementia in individuals without diagnosed deficiencies, citing insufficient evidence of benefits that outweigh potential risks. The updated recommendations build on WHO’s 2019 dementia risk reduction guidelines and reflect growing scientific evidence linking healthy lifestyles and effective management of chronic diseases to improved brain health.
WHO estimates that dementia costs the global economy approximately US$1.3 trillion annually, with nearly half of the burden borne by unpaid family members and carers. The organization stated that wider adoption of the recommendations could help reduce the future burden of dementia while enabling people to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives.
In Kenya, dementia presents a growing, silent health crisis, with an estimated 258,000 older adults living with the condition. Care is heavily challenged by widespread stigma, misconceptions, and a lack of trained specialists, resulting in many patients being diagnosed only in advanced stages. Currently, there is no national policy on dementia in Kenya. However, the Ministry of Health, responsible for dementia detection and management, is actively working towards developing a National Dementia Plan in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Alzheimer’s Dementia Organization Kenya (ADOK), and Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (AMHRTF).
