Fact 3. Dementia’s Prevalence: A Rising Global Health Concern
We can’t overlook the increasing prevalence of dementia, a looming health crisis globally. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 50 million people worldwide are grappling with dementia, with an alarming 10 million new cases surfacing each year. This figure makes dementia one of the most critical causes of disability and dependence among older adults on a global scale.
While dementia generally appears in individuals above 65 years of age, there’s a substantial number of younger people affected by early-onset dementia. This form of dementia presents a unique set of challenges as it manifests during a period when individuals are typically engaged in career growth, raising families, and actively participating in community life. The unexpected emergence of cognitive and functional deficits can cause significant disruption to these normal life activities and roles.
From an economic perspective, the burden of dementia is colossal. In 2018, the global cost of dementia was estimated to be around USD 1 trillion, a figure projected to reach USD 2 trillion by 2030. (3)
