Dementia needs priority
April 13, 2012
DEMENTIA must be a global
health priority, according to the
World Health Organisation and
Alzheimer’s International.
The call follows the release of the
duo’s first-ever report on the global
impact of dementia: Dementia: A
Public Health Priority.
Startling figures uncovered in the
report include the fact that one
new case of dementia occurs every
four seconds worldwide, which
equates to 7.7 million new cases
per annum.
Soberingly the report estimated
that in 2010 the total number of
people with dementia worldwide
was 35.6 million, and that this
number will nearly double every 20
years, to 65.7 million in 2030 and
115.4 million in 2050.
WHO also estimated that in 2010
the total worldwide cost of
dementia was $604 billion.
“The challenges to governments
to respond to the growing numbers
of people with dementia are
substantial,” the report said.
“A broad public health
approach is needed to improve the
care and quality of life of people
with dementia and family
caregivers,” the report added.
Priority areas of action suggested
by the report include raising
awareness, timely diagnosis,
commitment to good quality
continuing care and practices,
caregiver support, workforce
training, prevention and research.
“People with dementia and their
families face significant financial
impact from the cost of providing
health and social care and from
reduction or loss of income,” the
report said.
“Universal social support through
pensions and insurance schemes
could provide protection to this
vulnerable group,” the report added.
In addition, the health and social
care needs of the growing number
of frail dependant older people
should be a matter of “great
concern” to policy-makers in all
countries, the report’s authors said.
“This challenges governments to
develop and improve services for
people with dementia, focusing on
earlier diagnosis, provision of
support in the community, and a
responsive health and social care
sector,” the report said.
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