WHO Says Up to 45% of Dementia Risk Is Preventable as Blood Tests Promise Earlier Diagnosis

Overview

• The World Health Organization published updated dementia guidelines on July 15 that estimate as much as 45% of dementia risk is linked to changeable factors and could be prevented or delayed.
• The WHO recommends practical steps such as more physical activity, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, treating high blood pressure and diabetes, keeping socially connected, and lowering exposure to air pollution.
• The agency advises against routine use of vitamins B and E, omega‑3 supplements, or multivitamins for cognitive decline when no deficiency is diagnosed because evidence of benefit is lacking.
• Blood tests that measure beta‑amyloid and phosphorylated tau have U.S. approval, and a study of more than 1,300 patients found general clinicians given those results reached diagnostic accuracy near 90%, suggesting primary‑care use is feasible.
• Experts warn that making prevention and blood testing routine will require funding, training, regulatory approval in other countries, and steps to avoid widening inequalities in access to early diagnosis and care.