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NationalDementia

Almost 50 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented. This new advice tells us how

Kate Aubusson

July 19, 2026 — 6:00pm

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Avoiding air pollution from fireplaces and vehicle emissions is among a suite of new dementia prevention recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which have not endorsed supplements or menopausal hormone therapy to cut the risk of cognitive decline.

Up to 45 per cent of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed by eliminating modifiable risk factors including tobacco, alcohol, not exercising, diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the first update to the WHO’s dementia prevention guidelines in seven years.

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Dementia

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Kate Aubusson is Health Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via X or email.

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