There are now nearly 47 million people who are living with dementia worldwide, according to a report from the organization Alzheimer's Disease International. This is up from 35 million people with the disease in 2009. The organization is warning that unless there is a medical breakthrough, the number of people with Alzheimer's is expected to double every 20 years.
There will be 9.9 million people diagnosed with dementia this year. This is one diagnosis every 3 seconds.
Much of the increase in the number of cases of dementia will take place in low- and middle-income countries. The report states that 58% of all people living with dementia now are in such countries, but that this will rise to 63% in 2030 and to 68% in 2050. By 2050, nearly half of all people who have dementia will live in Asia. These numbers are expected to rise with aging populations and as more cases are identified.
The report estimates the current cost for caring for people with dementia to be $818 billion. This cost could jump to $1 trillion in 2018 and $2 trillion by 2030.
National governments will need to adopt legislation to ensure better treatment for people with the disease, the report concludes. There is no known cure for dementia, but the people who have dementia will need care. The orientation for public health programs should include awareness of dementia, accessible services, and prevention for diseases that increase the risk of dementia, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The report also noted that research into the causes of dementia and to search for a cure or effective treatment for the condition is "grossly underfunded." Alzheimer's Disease International could like to see national governments commit 1% of their economic costs for dementia to research into the condition. In the United States-which is already the largest national contributor to global dementia research--this would be about $8 billion per year.
You can download a copy of the report from Alzheimer's Disease International at http://www.worldalzreport2015.org/.
