On 21 September 2009, World Alzheimer's Day, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) released the World Alzheimer Report 2009, which presents the new and more accurate global figures indicating the true scale of the dementia epidemic we are facing.
The report presents the most comprehensive global prevalence study of dementia to date and looks at levels of mortality, disability, strain on carers and dependency. “The information in the 2009 World Alzheimer’s Report makes it clear that the crisis of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease cannot be ignored,” said Marc Wortmann, ADI’s Executive Director. “Unchecked, dementia and Alzheimer’s will impose enormous burdens on individuals, families, health care infrastructures, and the worldwide economy.”
The report shows that an estimated 35.6 million people worldwide will be living with dementia in 2010. This number is estimated to nearly double every 20 years, to 65.7 million in 2030, and 115.4 million in 2050. Much of the increase is clearly attributable to increases in the numbers of people with dementia in low and middle income countries. Not only are the numbers reason for concern, but Alzheimer’s disease and dementia have an enormous impact on societies; it can be called an epidemic that is increasing its pace with the ‘graying’ of the population around the world. Poor recognition, underdiagnosis and stigma cause significant problems for people with dementia and their families in countries of all sizes and communities of all income levels.
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