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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Global Rates of Alzheimer's Disease Soar

Aging populations drive increase; developing world will be hit hard

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(Newser) – Rising life expectancy in the developing world will lead to a dramatic increase in the number of people stricken by Alzheimer’s disease, HealthDay News reports. The number of dementia cases worldwide will reach 35.6 million in 2010, a 10% increase over the total in 2005. That number is expected to nearly double every 20 years, reaching 115.4 million in 2050, according to a new report by Alzheimer’s Disease International.

Rates of dementia incidence are rising fastest in the developing world. Countries in North Africa and the Middle East will see cases increase by 125% over the next 20 years as advances in life expectancy bring the problems of an aging population. "This new report updates the sad fact that economic globalization and development is coupled to a globalizing dementia epidemic,” an Alzheimer’s Disease International official said.

This image released by the United States Postal Service, shows the Alzheimer's postage stamp.
This image released by the United States Postal Service, shows the Alzheimer's postage stamp.   (AP Photo/USPS)
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Life expectancy is increasing everywhere in the world, and that's why the number of people with dementia are increasing.
- Dr. Daisy Acosta, Alzheimer's Disease Internationa

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5 comments
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Derni
Sep 21, 09 3:36 PM CDT
so you think health care and senior care ware not issues? Senior care will be a hot issue-it is now-but with the baby-boomers coming of age Reply
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+2
ListenEllipse
Sep 21, 09 5:12 PM CDT
We have to die of something. If we've come up with all these cures for cancers, workplace accidents, viruses, bacterial infections... there's nothing else of us to die of except old age. The death rate for all diseases has to add up to one. Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
dax
Sep 21, 09 8:51 PM CDT
Alzheimer's is not merely a normal process of old age. It is a disease characterized by the ongoing destruction of an abnormally large number of brain cells, for which there is a likely preventative. Moreover, it can begin in middle age. The costs for caring for someone incapacitated by Alzheimer's or one of the various dementias, can span a decade or more.
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+1
dax
Sep 21, 09 8:41 PM CDT
If Newt Gingrich can team up with Maria Shriver in front of Congress to call for an all out assault on Alzheimer's, because he sees this as a looming financial catastrophe for our nation, then maybe everyone Left and Right can join forces on this significant issue. Reply
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+1
riffran
Sep 22, 09 3:18 AM CDT
Alzheimers, is a cruel disease process, at first it's hard on the person because they know they are losing their mind, then after they have lost it, the family really has a job looking after them.... Reply
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