According to new guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 2019, you can reduce dementia risk by:
- Getting regular exercise
- Not smoking
- Avoiding excess alcohol
- Controlling weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels
“In the next 30 years, the number of people with dementia is expected to triple! We need to do everything we can to reduce our risk of dementia. The scientific evidence gathered for these guidelines confirm what we have suspected for some time, that what is good for our heart, is also good for our brain.”
– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General – WHO
The reduction of risk factors for dementia is only one of the several areas of action included in WHO’s Global action plan for the public health response to dementia.
Other areas include:
- Strengthening information systems for dementia
- Treatment and care
- Supporting carers of people with dementia
- Research and innovation
Source and related links:
Download the WHO’s Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia guidelines.
Also, download the WHO’s iSupport for Dementia, a training and support manual for carers of people with dementia.