The World Health Organization (WHO) says up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing lifestyle and environmental risk factors. The WHO links dementia risk to modifiable conditions across the life course, emphasizing prevention efforts rather than focusing only on treatment.
WHO also highlights the scale of the condition globally. It reports that more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, and that nearly 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year. The figures underscore why WHO frames dementia prevention as a public health priority.
Across the reports, the central message is that dementia is not entirely inevitable and that targeted interventions could reduce the number of cases. The guidance points to practical steps aimed at reducing risks associated with dementia, including factors that can be influenced through individual behaviour and public health measures.
The outlets differ only in emphasis and phrasing, but both attribute the estimate to the WHO and cite the same global burden figures.
