Global Dementia Cases and Economic Dimension
The cost of dementia, which affects more than 57 million people worldwide, draws attention in the global rankings when evaluated as a single country's economy.
International health reports published on the occasion of September 21 World Alzheimer's Day revealed that more than 57 million people worldwide are struggling with dementia and the global cost of the disease has reached massive proportions.
Global Dementia Crisis
While a new dementia case is recorded every 3 seconds worldwide, more than 57 million people are battling dementia.
This condition, which gradually destroys memory, thinking skills, and daily life activities, continues to be the seventh leading cause of death.
History and Rates
First described in 1906 by German psychiatrist and pathologist Alois Alzheimer, the disease accounts for 60 to 70 percent of cases.
While Alzheimer's disease grips approximately 10 million new people worldwide every year, its distribution in low- and middle-income countries is increasing.
Future Projections
According to World Health Organization data, the number of dementia patients, which is 57 million today, is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030.
While it is projected that this figure will skyrocket to 139 million by 2050, it is stated that the rates in low- and middle-income countries will also increase.
Economic Costs
The global cost of dementia, which was $1.3 trillion in 2019, shows a tendency to rise to $1.7 trillion by 2030.
Together with care expenses, it is calculated that this figure will reach $2.8 trillion and the disease will become the world's 17th largest economy.
Diagnosis and Treatment Gap
It is pointed out that the vast majority of people living with dementia have not yet even received an official diagnosis.
Even in high-income countries, only 20 to 50 percent of cases can be recorded, and the treatment gap poses a major problem.
Preventable Risks
Although there is no definitive cure for dementia, up to 45 percent of the risks are preventable or delayable.
It is stated that millions of people can be protected by eliminating modifiable risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity, and blood pressure.