World Health Organization: Dementia cases on the rise
Worldwide, nearly 35.6 million people live with dementia. This number is expected
to double by 2030 (65.7 million) and more than triple by 2050 (115.4 million). Dementia
affects people in all countries, with more than half (58%) living in low- and middle-income
countries. By 2050, this is likely to rise to more than 70%.
A new report "Dementia:
a public health priority", published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer's
Disease International, recommends that programmes focus on improving early diagnosis;
raising public awareness about the disease and reducing stigma; and providing better
care and more support to caregivers.
“We recognize that there is no cure for
dementia at this point in time, but there is a lot of possibilities for management
and care of people with dementia, as well as the family members who are the cornerstone
for looking after these people,” said Dr. Shekhar Saxena, the Director of the WHO
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
“Early identification by
the primary health care system, which is there in most countries, will be the first
step,” he told Vatican Radio. “
But after that careful planning of the care
of people with dementia, including social assistance, a few medicines are possible
to provide some help, and also looking after the needs of people with dementia, preferably
within the family, which is the recommended position from the WHO. The first step
will obviously be for the government to plan for such care, so that they can strengthen
their health and social care systems to look after the increasing needs of people
who will have dementia.”
Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic nature,
caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and
ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause
of dementia and possibly contributes to up to 70% of cases. Although dementia affects
people in all countries, more than half (58%) live in low- and middle-income countries.
This is likely to rise to more than 70% by 2050.
Listen to the full
interview by Christopher Wells with Dr. Shekhar Saxena: