Dementia: New WHO guidelines show how to prevent up to 45% of cases

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a second edition of its guidelines on reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
• According to the authors, up to 45% of dementia cases globally could be delayed or even prevented.
• The guidelines are based on a synthesis of the latest available evidence, and the WHO hopes the information will help individuals and the medical profession reduce the burden of dementia in the future.

On July 15, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its updated guidance on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The report updates and adds to the first of these guidelines published in 2019.

“We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in a press release.

“Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations they can put into practice immediately to protect people’s cognitive health,” added Dr. Tedros.