Health
WHO Recommends Social Engagement to Reduce Dementia Risk
July 15, 2026 at 05:59 PM
Coverage
The World Health Organization has updated its guidelines on dementia prevention, now explicitly recommending social activities and mental stimulation alongside exercise and diet.
- WHO announced that maintaining social relationships and participating in mentally stimulating activities can reduce the risk of dementia.
- The organization now recommends physical activity and hearing aids for hearing loss to prevent cognitive decline, reversing its 2019 position on evidence for social interaction.
- WHO stated that approximately 45 percent of dementia risk is attributable to modifiable factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.
- WHO estimated that about 57 million people worldwide currently have dementia, with cases continuing to rise.