Guideline

Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: WHO guidelines, 2nd ed.

Year of Publication

2026

Issuing Institution

World Health Organization

Links

WHO IRIS

Recommendations

19 included recommendations

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline specifically, physical activity should be recommended to adults with normal cognition.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Strong

Certainty of evidence

Moderate

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline specifically, physical activity may be recommended to adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia specifically, interventions for tobacco cessation should be offered to adults who use tobacco.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Strong

Certainty of evidence

Low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, a healthy, balanced dietary pattern may be recommended to adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Moderate

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, supplemention of vitamins B and E, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and multivitamins/ minerals is not recommended

Status

New

Recommended against

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Moderate

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, interventions aimed at reducing or ceasing hazardous and harmful drinking (including providing support to people with alcohol dependence) may be offered to adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Moderate

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, cognitive training may be offered to older adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, engagement in social activity interventions may be recommended to adults with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Very low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, interventions for reducing midlife overweight or obesity may be offered

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, management of hypertension may be offered to adults with hypertension.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Very low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, management of diabetes may be offered to adults with diabetes.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Very low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, management of dyslipidaemia at midlife may be offered.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, hearing aids may be offered to adults with hearing loss.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, engagement in cognitive stimulation may be encouraged.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Very low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, dietary restriction interventions may be offered to adults who are overweight or obese.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Low

Menopausal hormone therapy is not recommended for specifically reducing the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia in postmenopausal women aged 65 years and older.

Status

New

Recommended against

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Very low

Reducing exposure to household air pollution may reduce the risk or incidence of cognitive decline and/or dementia.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Very low

Reducing exposure to ambient air pollution (especially PM2.5) may reduce the risk or incidence of cognitive decline and/or dementia.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Very low

To reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia specifically, tailored, multidomain interventions may be offered.

Status

New

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Certainty of evidence

Moderate