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The World Health Organization (WHO) today released updated guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, providing countries with evidence-based recommendations to help prevent or delay the onset of dementia across the life course.

Dementia is a condition caused by brain diseases and affects memory, thinking and the ability to function. More than 57 million people live with dementia worldwide and nearly 10 million people get newly diagnosed every year. Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and is estimated to account for 60–70% of cases.

While there is no cure for dementia, up to 45% of the risks can be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including high blood pressure and diabetes. Beyond health, dementia affects a person’s independence, dignity and safety.

"We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations they can put into practice immediately to protect people's cognitive health."

WHO’s new guidelines reflect the latest evidence and innovations in dementia risk reduction providing proven interventions that can effectively lower dementia risk through early awareness and timely action. They represent an important opportunity to reduce the burden of dementia in the coming decades through stronger integration of services for noncommunicable diseases, mental health and brain health.

Reducing risk, preventing illness

The updated guidelines reflect significant growth in the evidence base since WHO first issued recommendations on dementia risk reduction in 2019. They provide consolidated recommendations on addressing unhealthy behaviours, managing medical conditions, and reducing exposure to environmental factors that may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.

The guidelines recommend several healthy behaviours and lifestyle interventions to reduce dementia risk, including cognitive training and cognitive stimulation and engagement in social activities for adults who have normal cognition or are experiencing mild cognitive impairment.

The updated advice also includes interventions that reduce risk of NCDs, including increasing physical activity, stopping tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, adopting a healthy diet, and a new recommendation to reduce exposure to air pollution.

Management of cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can also help reduce dementia risk. Further, hearing aids may be offered as part of risk-reduction strategies.

As an intervention to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia, the guidelines do not recommend supplementation with vitamins B and E, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and multivitamins/minerals in the absence of a diagnosed deficiency, due to the lack of evidence of any potential benefits to outweigh unexpected harmful effects. 

Human and economic cost

Dementia affects an individual’s ability to live independently, work and function, while placing substantial burdens on families and carers. It carries a major economic loss, costing the global economy an estimated US$ 1.3 trillion annually. About half of this cost is driven by unpaid care provided by families and friends. Understanding risk factors and taking action to prevent dementia can improve health and quality of life, helping people live longer, healthier and more independent lives.

In 2025, 90% of infants globally – or nearly 116 million – received at least one dose of a diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, and 85% – or 110 million – completed the full three-dose series, according to the annual WHO-UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) released today.  

While both indicators rose by one percentage point from the previous year, global coverage remains one point below 2019 levels – hovering within the same narrow range since 2009. 

According to the data, an estimated 13.5 million “zero-dose” children did not receive a single vaccine in their first year during 2025. While these represent nearly 750 000 fewer children than the previous year, progress is offset by a rising number of children who start the schedule and do not complete it. Most of these children live in countries where national immunization programmes receive support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. 

Globally, 7.3 million infants are estimated to have received their first DTP dose but dropped out before receiving their first measles dose. This drop-out rate contributed to stalled measles coverage with 84% of children receiving the first measles dose (MCV1) and 77% receiving the second dose (MCV2). Both figures fall far short of the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks of this highly contagious virus. Consequently, 57 countries reported large or disruptive measles outbreaks in 2025. 

“Governments and health workers have helped global vaccination rates bounce back after dropping significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "But millions of vulnerable children are still being left unprotected due to conflict, displacement, and poverty.  We must reach every child, and we must rebuild trust where it is fraying. No child should suffer from a disease that a simple vaccine can prevent.”

Data from 195 countries show that 100 countries have maintained at least 90% coverage with three doses of DTP vaccine since 2019, with little progress in expanding this group. Of the countries below 90% coverage in 2019, 30 improved their rates over the past six years, but 65 countries are stagnating or falling behind, including 13 fragile, conflict-affected or vulnerable countries (FCV).

Compared to their 2019 baselines, the Americas and South-East Asia have fully recovered and improved their performance, with the latter now the highest performing region. While Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Europe regions saw gains last year, their coverage remains below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. By contrast, the Western Pacific experienced a decline, leaving it the region furthest below its 2019 baseline.

Behind these global and regional averages are persistent threats that are driving variability and volatility in country-level vaccination coverage.

More than half of all zero-dose children live in FCV settings, even though they account for only about a third of the world’s child population. In these settings, immunization programmes are often strained by political upheaval, insecurity, or chronic underfunding. For example, in a single year, Syria lost 6 percentage points on DTP1 coverage and 12 points on MCV1. However, Sudan recorded the largest single-country gain globally last year, increasing DTP1 coverage by 35 percentage points and lifting MCV1 coverage by 22 points, demonstrating what is possible when access to services improves even amid ongoing conflict.

In middle- and high‑income countries, even where vaccines are fully accessible, coverage is slipping amid shifting political commitment, structural challenges or rising hesitancy. For example, South Africa's DTP1 coverage has fallen 20 percentage points since 2019 and continued to decline in 2025. After the largest increase in MCV1 coverage in the region in 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina saw a 23-point drop in the past year.

“Every child, whether born into wealth or poverty, peace or conflict, deserves the lifegiving protection that vaccines provide. Immunization is one of the most cost-effective, most equitable, and most reliable interventions for protecting children’s health and well-being,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Our greatest security begins with ensuring that everyone, wherever they may live, is protected from deadly diseases that vaccines have the power to prevent.” 

Over the past 25 years, sustained investments from governments and partners, commitments from communities, strengthened programmes, and broad public trust have reduced the annual number of zero-dose children by 40%. For example, in countries supported by Gavi, children today are protected against more diseases than ever before, with 74% average coverage today across a full course of WHO-recommended vaccines.

“The historic levels of immunization that we are seeing across lower income countries shows what can be achieved when all stakeholders work together towards a shared objective,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “As Gavi heads into a new five-year period, our great challenge now will be to maintain this momentum in the face of funding constraints, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing outbreaks – while working harder to reach those children that still do not have access to immunization.” 

However, the foundations that enabled progress are now under significant strain. The full impact of cuts to international health financing announced over the past two years is not yet reflected in these estimates, but the data systems needed to track that impact and protect against backsliding are themselves showing strain. According to the data, only 18 national immunization surveys were undertaken and submitted this round, down from 50 in 2024 and an average of 33 per year between 2015 and 2019. Weakening investments in the data systems needed to find and reach children who are missing out on vaccines will lead to outbreaks and deaths that could have been prevented, warn the agencies.  

WHO and UNICEF are working with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners to deliver the global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) goal to ensure vaccines reach everyone, everywhere, at every age, yet the world is further off track to reach the global target of reducing zero-dose children.

To make this sharp course correction and bridge the critical gap, WHO and UNICEF call on governments and relevant partners to:

• strengthen immunization in conflict and fragile settings to reach and retain children;
• counter false and misleading health information and fully support vaccine uptake acceleration;
• increase and sustain domestic and global funding for immunization programmes and partnerships, including Gavi; and
• invest in stronger data and disease surveillance systems to drive and guide high-impact immunization programme strengthening efforts.

 

Notes to editors: 

Download multimedia content here.

Access the WHO dataset: Global dashboard, country profiles, and additional resources  

Access the UNICEF dataset: Overview page, Full datasets, Data visualisation, Regional data visualisation, Country profiles  

WUENIC estimates, including historical data, are revised annually as new country data become available. Figures in this release should not be compared against previous years' published reports. 

Based on country-reported data, the WHO and UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC) provide the world’s largest and most comprehensive dataset on immunization trends for vaccinations against 13 diseases given through regular health systems  – normally at clinics, community centres, outreach services, or health worker visits. For 2025 data were provided from 185 countries. 

WHO and UNICEF are working with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners to deliver the global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a strategy for all countries and relevant global partners to achieve set goals on preventing diseases through immunization and delivering vaccines to everyone, everywhere, at every age.

About UNICEF 
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential. 

For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org  

About WHO 
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the United Nations’ agency for health that connects nations, partners and people in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to support all countries to promote, provide and protect health. 

“Together for health. Stand with science”, the theme of World Health Day 2026 marks a year-long campaign to highlight science as the foundation for protecting health and well-being worldwide.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated El Salvador as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness.

Millions of people are facing physical, emotional and financial toll of cancer, a disease that claims more than 26 000 lives every day, according to a report released today by the World Health Organization (WHO). With an estimated 20.6 million new cases and close to 10 million deaths annually, cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, after cardiovascular disease.

ECDC is launching an updated data visualisation that predicts where the risk of being infected by Vibrio bacteria could be greatest.

As people across Europe prepare for holidays, outdoor events, and social gatherings, the ECDC encourages everyone to take a few simple precautions to stay healthy during the summer months.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) has added the first molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) to its Emergency Use Listing (EUL). The test detects the virus by identifying its genetic material in blood samples, helping confirm infection rapidly and accurately.

WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and performance of essential health products based on the available evidence, while ensuring they meet minimum international standards and address the needs of low- and middle-income countries.

Through this mechanism, WHO aims to accelerate access to reliable diagnostic tools for early case detection, timely clinical care, disease surveillance and effective outbreak response. The EUL also supports United Nations procurement agencies and governments in making informed decisions about the procurement and use of these products in public health emergency settings.

"Public health emergencies require not only speed, but also confidence that the health products being used meet standards for quality, safety and performance," said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data. "During a fast-moving outbreak, timely access to quality-assured diagnostic tests can make a critical difference in containing transmission. Through this Emergency Use Listing, WHO is helping countries access trusted diagnostic tools more rapidly so that they can respond more effectively.”

On 17 May 2026, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared a public health emergency of international concern over the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with cases in Uganda. Less than two weeks later, WHO launched a call for manufacturers of IVDs for Bundibugyo virus to submit Expressions of Interest for Emergency Use Listing.

The listing comes at a critical time as countries respond to the largest recorded outbreak of Ebola disease caused by BDBV, which continues to expand. As of today, 1406 laboratory-confirmed cases and 438 deaths had been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone.

With support from WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), laboratory testing capacity has expanded from a limited number of sites – primarily Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in Kinshasa and Goma, with an estimated combined capacity of approximately 200–400 tests per day – to a broader network of 10 laboratories across affected provinces, with a reported capacity of over 2000 tests per day. Rapid and reliable diagnosis remains essential to identify cases early, guide timely patient care, interruptand help bring outbreaks under control.

WHO continues to work closely with manufacturers, global partners and countries to expand the availability of and access to safe, effective and quality-assured life-saving health products. Additional applications for BDBV IVDs submitted through the EUL procedure are currently under review.

In parallel, WHO and Africa CDC, with partners including PATH, FIND and CHAI, and with support from Unitaid, are establishing a joint validation platform to rapidly evaluate the performance of a selection of diagnostic products, including laboratory-based molecular tests, near-point-of-care molecular tests and antigen rapid diagnostic tests. The platform will generate critically needed clinical evidence on the performance of these products in outbreak settings.

Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe, often life-threatening disease caused by BDBV, one of three Ebola virus species known to cause large outbreaks in humans. The virus can spread from animals to humans and then from person to person through contact with a person sick or deceased and their infected bodily fluids or surfaces or items contaminated by these fluids.

Information on active EUL applications for IVDs for BDBV nucleic acid detection can be found on these WHO webpages.

About WHO

Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life.

We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to support countries to promote, provide and protect health.

“Together for health. Stand with science”, the theme of World Health Day 2026 marks a year-long campaign to highlight science as the foundation for protecting health and well-being worldwide.

 

In a major international effort to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola disease due to Bundibugyo virus (BVD), the PARTNERS clinical trial has opened enrolment today for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Flavoured noodle products are the most likely source of an ongoing multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Stanley infections, with evidence linking the cases to items from the same brand, according to a Rapid Outbreak Assessment by EFSA and ECDC.

Alfalfa sprouted seeds have been identified as the likely source of a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans infections, according to a Rapid Outbreak Assessment published by EFSA and ECDC.

You can now register to attend this year’s European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE), taking place in Stockholm and online on 18–20 November 2026. Registration is free of charge.

Following confirmation of the first imported case of Ebola disease in Europe since the current outbreak began after a doctor returning to France from the Democratic Republic of the Congo ‌tested positive, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) calls on EU Member States to continue strengthening their preparedness. ECDC underlines that the risk of sustained transmission within the EU/EEA is very low provided that effective measures for early detection, isolation and treatment of patients are in place.

At a time when energy security and affordability have risen to the top of the development agenda, 655 million people globally still lack access to electricity, and two billion use polluting fuels and technologies for cooking putting their health and well-being at risk.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today calls on countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects, highlighting how early detection and treatment can save lives and reduce lifelong disability for millions of children.

A new WHO report, Strengthening capacity for newborn screening, diagnosis and management of birth defects, identifies newborn screening as an important opportunity to accelerate progress in child survival.

Many conditions can be successfully treated if identified early after birth. These include congenital hypothyroidism, sickle-cell disease, hearing impairment and some metabolic disorders. Yet millions of children are still diagnosed too late or never receive treatment at all.

Worldwide, an estimated 8 million babies are born with a birth defect each year, and birth defects now account for almost 8% of all deaths among children under five. An estimated 90% of children born with serious birth defects live in low- and middle-income countries, where access to screening, diagnosis and treatment remains limited.

"No child should miss the chance for a healthy future because a congenital condition was not detected early enough," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Around the world, countries are showing that newborn screening for one or more conditions can save lives, prevent disability, and give a newborn the best opportunity to fulfil her or his potential ."The gap between countries is stark: some countries screen all newborns for more than 50 conditions, while others are unable to screen for any. WHO encourages every country to begin newborn screening — starting with a priority condition in the country and progressively expanding as capacity grows.

The report shows that birth defects account for a growing proportion of under-five deaths in many regions. Between 2000 and 2023, the proportion of under-five deaths attributable to birth defects increased from 1% to 4% in sub-Saharan Africa and from 3% to 11% in South Asia. Part of this shift reflects genuine progress in the reduction of deaths from infectious and other preventable causes.

The WHO report aims to support ministries of health, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to prioritize conditions for newborn screening depending on the country context.

It showcases countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas that are already demonstrating the successful integration of large-scale newborn screening programmes into routine health services:

Argentina: Increased newborn screening coverage to nearly universal levels.

Brazil: Expanded nationwide screening for multiple life-threatening conditions.

Egypt:  The ‘newborn care pathway’ integrates universal newborn screening for hearing and congenital hypothyroidism into its primary health care services.

India: The national programme has screened more than 28 million children over three years, identifying approximately 900,000 children with a birth defect and connecting them with diagnosis, treatment and support, including long term care and rehabilitation services through district early intervention centres.

Philippines: A programme that began as a pilot in 24 hospitals now screens newborns for 29 conditions through more than 7000 facilities nationwide. All conditions screened for have diagnostic and management pathways within the national health system. Newborn screening is covered by national health insurance and mandated by law.

Sri Lanka: Newborn screening is integrated into routine care and includes visible birth defects and congenital hypothyroidism. Around 80% of newborns are now screened for congenital hypothyroidism.

Uganda: A state-led programme for sickle-cell disease in high burden areas identifies affected infants early and provides them with lifesaving treatment and long-term follow-up care.

WHO is urging governments to integrate newborn screening, diagnosis and treatment into routine health services and universal health coverage programmes, beginning with conditions that are country priorities, and that can be effectively detected and feasibly managed within their health system.

The report was informed by a global WHO consultation bringing together government representatives, technical experts, clinicians, researchers, professional associations, civil society organizations and families affected by birth defects to identify priorities for strengthening newborn screening, diagnosis and long-term care.

About WHO

Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the United Nations’ agency for health that connects nations, partners and people in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to support all countries to promote, provide and protect health.

“Together for health. Stand with science”, the theme of World Health Day 2026, marks a year-long campaign to highlight science as the foundation for protecting health and well-being worldwide.

 

Updated technical guidelines by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will help prevent the transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) through substances of human origin, including donated blood, stem cells, reproductive cells, and tissue, and establish a single, EU-wide standard for patient safety during medical procedures.

A conference on mosquito-borne diseases hosted by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Ministry of Health of Cyprus with support from ECDC focused on the growing public health impact of such diseases in Europe and and discussed challenges in mosquito control.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has published new operational guidance with clear steps for European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member states to take in the unlikely event of an imported case of Ebola disease.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is expanding its presence on the ground to support areas affected by the current Ebola outbreak, sending additional experts this week to increase assistance and risk assessment activities as the disease continues to impact lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

As the Democratic Republic of the Congo is battling an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive guidelines for the clinical management of filovirus disease which include all types of Ebola and Marburg viruses. The new guidelines highlight the importance of early supportive care to improve patient survival and health outcomes, outlining 16 evidence-based recommendations.

ECDC has published its annual activity report for 2025, bringing scientific expertise and risk management together with strengthened cooperation and outreach.