Over 35 million people have Alzheimer’s worldwide
More than 35 million people worldwide will have dementia in 2010, according to the 2009 World Alzheimer’s Report from Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). The new report was released on September 21st, which is World Alzheimer’s Day.
This is a 10 percent increase over previous global dementia prevalence reported in 2005 in The Lancet. According to the new report, dementia prevalence will nearly double every 20 years, to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
According to researchers, the increases in global dementia prevalence were driven primarily by new data from low and middle income countries. Estimates for three regions are higher - Western Europe (7.29% vs. 5.92%), South Asia (5.65% vs. 3.40%) and Latin America (8.50% vs. 7.25%); East Asia is lower (4.98% vs. 6.46%) and North America is effectively identical.
The researchers found that 57.7% of people with dementia in 2010 live in low and middle income countries, rising to 70.5% by 2050. In addition, proportionate increases over the next 20 years in the number of people with dementia will be steeper in low and middle compared with high income countries.
“The information in the 2009 World Alzheimer’s Report makes it clear that the crisis of dementia and Alzheimer’s cannot be ignored,” said Marc Wortmann, ADI’s Executive Director. “Unchecked, Alzheimer’s will impose enormous burdens on individuals, families, health care infrastructures, and global economy.”
“There is hope in taking action by improving and funding dementia care and services, and increasing investment in research,” Wortmann said. “Australia, France, Korea and the UK have developed national Alzheimer’s action plans, and several more are currently in development. We strongly encourage other countries to follow their example and make Alzheimer’s a priority.”
The Emotional and Financial Impact of Dementia
Chapter 2 of the report focuses on the impact of dementia. Dementia has physical, psychological and economic impact not only the person with the disease, but also caregiver(s), the person’s family and friends, healthcare system(s), and society. For example, statistics cited in the new report suggest that 40-75% of carers have significant psychological illness as a result of their caregiving, and 15-32% have depression.
The report also outlines challenges faced by governments and healthcare systems worldwide and offers eight global recommendations based on report findings.
The full 2009 World Alzheimer’s Report, including the methodology used to prepare it, can be found at the below website:
www.alz.co.uk/worldreport
Very sad. Hopefully one day there will be a cure.