By Stephen Simon
The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled new global guidelines indicating that nearly 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed through healthier lifestyles and improved management of risk factors, urging governments to strengthen public health interventions as populations continue to age.
According to the WHO, evidence shows that adopting healthy habits such as regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, controlling high blood pressure and diabetes, avoiding tobacco use, reducing excessive alcohol consumption and remaining socially active can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia.
The global health body noted that dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older people, affecting millions of families worldwide. It stressed that while age remains the greatest risk factor, many other contributors are preventable through early intervention and sustained public health policies.
WHO called on governments to integrate brain health into national healthcare programmes, expand access to routine health screenings and promote public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles across all age groups. The organisation said preventive measures should begin early in adulthood rather than waiting until old age.
Health experts say the recommendations are particularly relevant for low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, where increasing life expectancy is expected to result in a growing number of people living with dementia and other age-related conditions. They noted that stronger primary healthcare systems will be crucial to addressing the challenge.
The WHO also encouraged investment in research, caregiver support and improved access to diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing that reducing dementia risk would not only improve quality of life but also lessen the economic burden on families and healthcare systems.
The latest guidelines form part of the organisation’s broader strategy to tackle non-communicable diseases and promote healthy ageing, with member states urged to incorporate the recommendations into their national health policies to help reduce the future impact of dementia globally.
