Global dementia cases expected to triple by 2050

ANKARA

The number of people with dementia will nearly triple worldwide by 2050, according to a new study.

The study, published in the Lancet medical journal, found that the number of people with dementia would increase from 57.4 million cases globally in 2019 to 152.8 million cases in 2050.

With results from 195 countries and territories, the study also concluded that the three risk factors were high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, and smoking.

The study predicted that cases of dementia in eastern Sub-Saharan Africa could rise from about 660,000 to over 3 million, while the cases in North Africa and the Middle East could rise from 3 million to about 14 million.

“Growth in the number of individuals living with dementia underscores the need for public health planning efforts and policy to address the needs of this group,” the study said.

Multifaceted approaches, including scaling up interventions to address modifiable risk factors and investing in research on biological mechanisms, will be key in addressing the expected increases in the number of individuals affected by dementia, it added.

According to the World Health Organization, dementia is caused by different diseases and injuries that affect the brain such as Alzheimer's or strokes. Worldwide, around 55 million people have dementia, with over 60% living in low- and middle-income countries.