New global guidelines set out how the public can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
The guidelines, published yesterday, were created by the World Health Organisation to outline healthy behaviours that may reduce the risk of dementia.
WHO states the new guidelines, the first of their kind, “provide a knowledge base for health care providers, governments, policy-makers and other stakeholders to reduce the risks of cognitive decline and dementia through a public health approach”.
If the guidelines are widely followed, the creators believe that this major cause of disability and dependency among older people, along with its heavy economic burden, can be limited.
This move is part of the World Health Organisation’s Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025.
Specific recommendations in the guidance include regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, a healthy diet, maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
In the Foreword, Dr Ren Minghui of the World Health Organisation writes: “While there is no curative treatment for dementia, the proactive management of modifiable risk factors can delay or slow onset or progression of the disease.
“As many of the risk factors for dementia are shared with those of noncommunicable diseases, the key recommendations can be effectively integrated into programmes for tobacco cessation, cardiovascular disease risk reduction and nutrition.
“I urge all stakeholders to make the best use of these recommendations to improve the lives of people with dementia, their carers and families.”
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