The Number of Worldwide Dementia Cases Is Set To Triple

Dementia is an illness that affects a person’s memory, behavior, and ability to perform normal everyday tasks. Currently, Alzheimer’s Disease is thought to be the leading cause of Dementia. A report released by the World Health Organization predicts that the number of dementia cases worldwide will increase exponentially by the year 2050. The WHO believes that the raise in these types of cases are the result of an increase in the quality of medical care and life expectancy.

This increase will cause a number of problems for patients and their families. The primary problem that victims of Dementia will face is the lack of available health care. Only a few countries have national programs to address these support problems, whereas, some countries have state-level programs that address these issues. The United States is in the latter category. However, many developing countries lack the means to take care of their aging populations. Is it important to ensure that health care is available because it is crucial to stopping Dementia before it worsens. If a doctor can diagnose dementia in its earliest stages, the doctor can better treat the disease.

See Frank Jordans, WHO: Dementia cases worldwide will triple by 2050, Associated Press, Apr. 11, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.