WHO issues dementia risk-reduction guidelines 2nd ed.

The World Health Organization published the executive summary of the second edition of its guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia on Sept. 2, 2026, updating guidance first issued in 2019. The document applies to adults without dementia, including people with normal cognition and those with mild cognitive impairment, according to the WHO publication page. The agency said the update adopts a life-course approach and covers healthy behaviours, management of health conditions linked to dementia risk, environmental exposures and tailored multidomain interventions. ### What exactly did WHO publish on Sept. 2? WHO listed a document titled “Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: executive summary, 2nd ed.” as published on Sept. 2, 2026. The publication page says the summary is part of the organization’s updated guideline package on dementia risk reduction. The full guideline, “Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: WHO guidelines, second edition,” was also released in 2026. (who.int) WHO says it provides evidence-based recommendations for interventions intended to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. ### How is this different from the 2019 guidance? WHO’s 2026 publication says the second edition reflects “the considerable growth of the evidence base” since the 2019 guidelines and expands the scope of guidance on dementia risk reduction. (who.int) The 2019 version had framed dementia risk reduction as part of the public health response to a growing condition with no curative treatment widely available. The 2019 guideline was issued under WHO’s Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017–2025. (who.int) The newer edition keeps the focus on modifiable risk factors across the life course, according to WHO’s publication materials. ### Who are the guidelines meant to be used by? WHO says the guidelines are intended for health-care providers, policy-makers and other stakeholders. The agency says the recommendations are meant to support action on dementia risk reduction as a public health strategy. (who.int) WHO’s data pages on dementia risk reduction say evidence-based interventions should be developed, delivered and promoted within primary care settings, and linked with broader noncommunicable-disease programmes and campaigns. (who.int) ### What areas of risk reduction does the update cover? The Sept. 2 executive summary says the guidance addresses interventions to promote healthy behaviours and lifestyles, manage health conditions associated with increased dementia risk, reduce exposure to environmental risk factors and implement tailored multidomain interventions. (who.int) WHO says the recommendations use a life-course perspective, recognizing that risk accumulates over time. (who.int) Supporting WHO annexes describe evidence reviews for multidomain interventions that address three or more modifiable risk factors, including at least one lifestyle-based component. Other annexes compile evidence on cognitive training, cognitive stimulation and cognitively stimulating activities. ### Did WHO attach any topline estimate to prevention? WHO said in a July 15, 2026 news release that “up to 45%” of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed. (who.int) The agency said the updated guidelines were intended to help countries use evidence-based recommendations to prevent or delay dementia across the life course. WHO’s 2019 release on the first guideline said the evidence supported a broad public-health message: “what is good for our heart, is also good for our brain.” That release said the guidance would help clinicians advise patients and help governments design programmes that encourage healthy lifestyles. (iris.who.int) ### Where can readers find the next documents in the package? WHO’s publications pages list the executive summary, the full second-edition guideline and multiple web annexes on the evidence base. (who.int) The executive summary is on WHO’s publications site under item B09867, and the full guideline is listed separately with its 2026 edition details. (who.int 1) (who.int 2)