WHO updates dementia guidelines with seven added risk factors including sleep and vision loss
The World Health Organization released a second edition of its dementia risk-reduction guidelines, adding stroke, head injury, vision problems, sleep disorders, HIV, air pollution and menopausal hormone therapy to its prior list of 12 factors. Officials said the update reflects newer evidence on cognitive decline.
GENEVA - The World Health Organization released an updated guide on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, adding seven conditions and exposures to a list first published in 2019.
The new factors are stroke, traumatic brain injury, vision impairment, sleep problems, HIV, air pollution and menopausal hormone therapy. They join 12 earlier items that include physical inactivity, harmful alcohol use, tobacco, poor diet, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids, hearing loss, depression, and limited cognitive and social activity.
Fox News reported the second edition was written to reflect newer evidence. WHO said it does not recommend menopausal hormone therapy specifically to prevent dementia in women 65 and older, and that evidence is still limited for younger women.
Dr. Daniel Amen, a California physician who spoke with Fox News Digital about the update, said brain blood flow, sleep and head trauma belong on any prevention checklist. He noted that untreated sleep apnea can change the brain in ways that resemble Alzheimer's disease hallmarks, and that vision problems place extra demand on brain systems that process sight.
A recent U.S. analysis cited in the coverage estimated that about one in five people develop dementia by age 85. Amen told Fox that prevention should start well before retirement age, with habits such as staying socially connected, learning new skills and asking whether daily choices help or hurt the brain.
WHO still rates some evidence, including air pollution links, as low to very low certainty. The practical message for older readers is familiar: control blood pressure and diabetes, protect the head, treat sleep disorders, keep up eye and hearing care, and stay active with other people.
Go Deeper
What did WHO add?
Seven items: stroke, traumatic brain injury, vision impairment, sleep problems, HIV, air pollution and menopausal hormone therapy. They sit alongside 12 earlier lifestyle and medical factors from 2019.
Does WHO recommend hormone therapy to stop dementia?
No. WHO does not recommend menopausal hormone therapy specifically to prevent dementia in women 65 and older, and says evidence for younger women is still limited.
Why include sleep?
Sleep supports brain waste-clearance processes. CDC data cited in coverage show about 30.5% of U.S. adults get less than seven hours of sleep a day. Untreated sleep apnea can change the brain.
Is air pollution a proven cause?
Studies link long-term pollution exposure to higher cognitive decline risk, but WHO rates that evidence as low to very low certainty. Reducing household and outdoor fine particles is still advised.
What should a 50-plus reader do first?
Talk with a doctor about blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea screening, eye exams and hearing checks. Stay socially active and keep learning. Do not wait until age 65 to start.
More health
health50+Scientists identify new tick-borne virus after testing thousands of patients in China
Chinese researchers identified Asian longhorned tick nairovirus in 10.4% of 3,163 patients bitten by ticks. The virus can cause flu-like illness, low
Sep 5
health50+Higher blood xylitol levels linked to greater heart attack and stroke risk in study
A study presented at the ESC Cardiology Congress followed more than 17,700 Canadian and British adults and linked higher blood xylitol levels to more
Sep 5
health50+WHO adds seven dementia risk factors including stroke, sleep problems and air pollution
The World Health Organization updated its dementia risk-reduction guidelines with seven added factors: stroke, traumatic brain injury, vision impairme
Sep 5