Regular Exercise, Non-Smoking, Healthy Diet Help Reduce Risk Of Dementia, WHO Says In First Prevention Guidelines

Reuters: WHO issues first advice on dementia: exercise and don’t smoke
“The World Health Organization published its first guidelines on the prevention and management of dementia on Tuesday, putting physical activity at the top of its list of recommendations for preventing cognitive decline. Stopping smoking, a healthy diet, and avoiding harmful use of alcohol were also among the recommendations of the WHO’s report, entitled ‘Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia.’ Treatment for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes also lowers the risks, the report said…” (Miles, 5/14).

U.N. News: U.N. health agency highlights lifestyle choices that can prevent onset of dementia, as millions more succumb each year
“…In recommendations to counter an expected tripling in the number of people with the degenerative condition in the next 30 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines are designed to help medical professionals and governments to develop national policies. Today, around 50 million people globally suffer from dementia and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year…” (5/14).

Additional coverage of the WHO guidelines on dementia is available from Deutsche Welle, Mail and Guardian, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal.

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