Dementia Affects Millions of People on a Global Scale

Serdar HocamAuthor & Editor

The Ministry of Health drew attention to dementia, which affects tens of millions of people worldwide, with new cases appearing every three seconds.

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Sağlık Bakanlığı: Demans, dünya genelinde 55-57 milyon kişiyi etkiliyor

In a statement made by the Ministry of Health, it was reported that dementia affects millions of people globally and a new case emerges every 3 seconds.

The Effects of Alzheimer's and Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is defined as a chronic and progressive disorder that occurs due to damage that forms in brain cells over time. This condition leads to individuals losing their speech, decision-making, and daily life skills.

On the other hand, Alzheimer's holds the characteristic of being the most common type of dementia cases, constituting 60 to 70 percent of all cases.

Global and National Figures

According to estimates, there are between 55 and 57 million dementia patients worldwide. Furthermore, it is stated that a new dementia case develops approximately every 3 seconds.

It has been recorded by official authorities that this health problem is among the significant issues affecting public health in Turkey as well.

Risk Factors and Ways of Prevention

While family history and gender are among the non-modifiable risk factors in the development of dementia, modifiable factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, and type 2 diabetes also play a role. Tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity, and mental passivity also increase the risk.

Experts state that by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, dementia cases can be delayed or prevented by 45 percent.