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The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the reduction of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and indoor air pollution to its strategy for preventing dementia. The organization has also strongly recommended the use of hearing aids as people age. The WHO recently released an updated guideline for reducing the risk of dementia, which includes environmental factors for the first time in seven years.

This updated guideline contains 19 recommendations, including a reduction in exposure to fine particulate matter and indoor air pollution. The most notable change is the focus on the link between dementia and the environment. The guideline states that reducing exposure to fine particulate matter and indoor air pollution can lower the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Fine particulate matter is more hazardous than ordinary dust because it can pass through the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream. The guideline cites research showing that fine particulate matter can cause neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, increasing the risk of dementia by up to 1.4 times. The guideline also recommends indoor air pollution caused by the use of solid fuels, such as wood, coal, and dung, which are burned in homes.

The WHO urges countries to implement policy measures such as improving urban planning, regulating transportation emissions, and promoting clean energy to reduce people's exposure to air pollution. The guideline also adds cognitive stimulation activities like reading, gaming, playing, puzzles, and playing instruments to the list of recommendations for reducing dementia risk.

The guideline emphasizes that more challenging activities are more effective in maintaining brain health. The guideline also advises overweight or obese adults to practice calorie restriction or intermittent fasting. However, hormone therapy for dementia prevention is not recommended for women over 65. The guideline stresses the importance of a multifaceted approach to managing dementia risk factors, which include exercise, cognitive training, and a healthy diet.

The guideline also highlights the effectiveness of social activities such as joining clubs, volunteering, and socializing with friends in improving cognitive function. The guideline warns against the use of supplements like vitamin B, E, omega-3 fatty acids, and combined vitamins for dementia prevention, as there is insufficient scientific evidence to support their use.

However, it leaves the use of supplements for specific vitamin deficiencies to the discretion of individual physicians. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the organization now has more evidence than ever about the factors that increase the risk of dementia. He added that this guideline provides clear evidence for governments and individuals to act immediately.

Dementia is one of the most concerning diseases for the elderly aged 50 and above worldwide, with an estimated 570 million people suffering from the condition, and around 10 million new cases diagnosed annually. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, accounting for 60-70% of all dementia cases. The WHO estimates that dementia costs the global economy $1.3 trillion annually, with half of that amount coming from unpaid care given by families and friends.