7 new dementia risk factors revealed — including one millions struggle with
The World Health Organization has updated its global guidelines on reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, adding seven new risk factors to the twelve identified in its original 2019 report. The revised guidance, described as reflecting the latest scientific evidence, matters because dementia rates are rising worldwide and public health bodies are keen to highlight preventable or manageable contributors to cognitive decline, giving individuals more actionable information to protect brain health as they age.
Among the newly added factors are traumatic brain injury, stroke, vision impairment, sleep disorders and menopausal hormone therapy, with the WHO stopping short of recommending hormone therapy specifically to prevent dementia in postmenopausal women over 65. US physician Dr Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics, broadly welcomed the update, noting parallels with his own "BRIGHT MINDS" risk-reduction framework, and highlighted vascular health, head injuries and vision problems as areas with strong links to brain function. He also pointed out that vision impairment places extra demands on the brain, though the WHO says evidence remains insufficient to recommend vision treatment purely as a dementia-prevention measure.
- WHO adds seven new dementia risk factors to its updated guidelines
- New factors include stroke, brain injury, vision and sleep problems
- Experts say evidence for hormone therapy's dementia impact remains limited
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Dementia is a group of conditions that affect memory, thinking and everyday activities. Its causes are complex, and age is a major risk factor, but health and life circumstances may also influence the chances of cognitive decline.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issues guidance on factors that may raise dementia risk and ways to reduce or manage them. Its earlier review identified 12 factors; research into areas such as head injuries, stroke, sleep and vision has added to the evidence considered by public health bodies.
The guidance is aimed at health professionals and the public, as dementia affects people and health services worldwide. Some risk factors may be manageable, but evidence varies: a link with dementia does not necessarily mean that treating a condition will prevent it.
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