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Dementia cases set to double by 2050, called an 'accelerating epidemic crisis'
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- New research from UNSW Sydney estimates 11.4 million new dementia cases occurred in 2023, with projections showing this number will more than double to 24.7 million by 2050, advancing previous predictions by a decade.
- The study highlights an accelerating global dementia epidemic, particularly affecting women and individuals in low- and middle-income countries, who experience significantly higher incidence rates.
- Aging populations are a major driver, with dementia prevalence rising sharply after age 65 and especially after 85, while lower education levels are also strongly linked to increased dementia risk.
- Prevention strategies proven effective in high-income countries include managing cardiovascular health, promoting physical activity, improving education, and addressing modifiable risk factors such as diabetes and smoking.
- Experts emphasize the need for targeted screening and prevention efforts, especially for women, alongside strengthening healthcare infrastructure to address the growing dementia burden worldwide.
