WHO adds seven new conditions to its dementia-risk guidance

The World Health Organization released a revised set of recommendations for lowering dementia risk, incorporating seven additional health issues—stroke, traumatic brain injury, vision impairment, sleep problems, HIV infection, air-pollution exposure, and menopausal hormone therapy—into its existing framework of twelve lifestyle and metabolic factors. While the WHO does not endorse hormone therapy for dementia prevention in women older than 65, it says data are inconclusive for younger women.

Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics, discussed the updates, highlighting that vascular problems, head trauma, and chronic infections can impair brain health. He also stressed the importance of sleep, vision care, and reducing exposure to pollutants, aligning his BRIGHT MINDS approach with the WHO’s guidance. The agency noted that evidence for some new items, such as air pollution, is of low certainty, but the expanded list underscores the need for preventive measures throughout life.