September is World Alzheimer’s Month
Each September, the Alzheimer’s Disease International releases a report of the status of Alzheimer’s Disease throughout the world. This year, their report was entitled “The Global Impact of Dementia.” In it, they document the global prevalence, incidence, cost and trends of dementia in the world today. Some interesting facts include:
- In 2015, there are estimated to be 46.8 million people worldwide who are living with dementia.
- This number is expected to double every 20 years, and will reach 131.5 million in 2050.
- Throughout the world, there is estimated to be one new case of dementia every 3.2 seconds, or 9.9 million news cases.
- Of the number of new cases of dementia:
- 4.9 million are in Asia
- 2.5 million are in Europe
- 1.7 million are in the Americas
- 0.8 million are in Africa.
- The global cost of dementia care is $818 billion in 2015, and will reach $2 trillion by 2030.
- Global dementia care, if it were a country, would be the 18th largest economy in the world.
These are pretty grim statistics, especially in light of the fact that there is no effective treatment, no cure, and no proven way to prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia. However, if you are inclined to take part in the fight against Alzheimer’s or dementia, there are studies you can volunteer for. Even if you do not have a personal or family history of these diseases, you may be needed in a study. If interested, contact the NIA’s Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center at 1-800-438-4380 or visit www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/clinical-trials.