RRI.CO.ID, Geneva - WHO has released updated global guidelines urging countries to strengthen efforts to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The released guideline underscored that nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.

The organization stated more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer's disease accounts for an estimated 60–70% of all dementia cases.

The updated recommendations encourage healthy lifestyle changes, including regular physical activity, quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet, staying socially and cognitively active, and reducing exposure to air pollution. WHO also highlighted the importance of managing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, while noting that hearing aids may help lower dementia risk.

However, the guidelines do not recommend routine use of vitamin B and E supplements, omega-3 fatty acids or multivitamins for dementia prevention in people without diagnosed deficiencies. WHO said current scientific evidence has not consistently shown these supplements reduce the risk of cognitive decline or dementia in otherwise healthy individuals.

WHO estimated dementia costs the global economy around US$1.3 trillion annually, with about half of the burden borne by unpaid caregivers. By promoting evidence-based lifestyle interventions the organization hopes countries can better integrate dementia prevention into noncommunicable disease and brain health strategies, helping people maintain cognitive function and independence for longer.

Several recent studies have also pointed to brisk walking as a simple way to support brain health. An analysis of studies on cognitive aging and brain health (June 2026) involving nearly 4,000 participants found that people who walked significantly faster than others in their age group had about a 50% lower risk of cognitive impairment and experienced slower cognitive decline than slower walkers.

According to the research on BDNF relations to prefrontal cortex activity (June 2026), brisk walking may improve blood flow to the brain and stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and survival of brain cells. However, they cautioned that the findings do not prove brisk walking alone can prevent dementia, and further research is needed to better understand its long-term effects.

Previously on June 20, 2026, Surabaya State University (Unesa) partnered with the School of Sport, Exercise and Health at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom to conduct joint research on dementia prevention through exercise and nutrition. The collaboration will investigate how physical activity and dietary interventions can help maintain and improve cognitive function, particularly among women of productive age.

The multidisciplinary study examined the effectiveness of physical activity and dietary interventions in maintaining and improving cognitive function, with a focus on women of productive age. Combining sport science and nutrition approaches, the research is expected to produce evidence-based recommendations that can be applied in daily life to support cognitive health and help prevent cognitive decline.