Massive Rise In Health Lost To Dementia, Finds Global Study

The number of people losing a healthy life due to dementia has almost doubled across the globe in one generation, reveals a report in The Lancet (Monday, 8 June). The latest Global Burden of Disease Study found a 92 per cent increase in dementia-related early death and years lived with disability between 1990 and 2013.

Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society said:

“In less than a quarter of a century we have seen a staggering increase in the number of people living with dementia globally. With an ageing population, dementia is fast becoming the biggest health and social care challenge of this generation.

“We will have over one million people living with dementia in the UK by 2021. While many can live well with the condition, many others will face severe health problems. The health and social care costs to the economy are already enormous – running into tens of billions of pounds.

“Dementia is now an emerging global crisis. The need to find better treatments is becoming increasingly urgent.”