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Alzheimer's disease: An emerging public health problem

Epidemiology

According to different estimates, between 2% and 10% of all cases of dementia start before the age of 65 and the prevalence doubles every five-years following this age. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of all deaths in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of death in Americans aged 65 and older. Whereas other major causes of death are decreasing, deaths due to AD are dramatically are increasing. Between 2000 and 2006, a 47% increase in the number of deaths attributable to AD was observed. The total number of patients with dementia worldwide is estimated at 35.6 million and is expected to nearly double every 20 years, to reach 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
The total number of new cases of dementia each year worldwide is nearly 7.7 million, implying one new case every four seconds. Dementia: a public health priority. WHO, WM 200.

Alzheimer's disease represents an emerging public health problem in Europe as well. Based on demographic data, in Switzerland, the number of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease is 100'000 and this number is expected to triple by 2050.

The total estimated worldwide costs of dementia were around 604 billion per year at present and is expected to increase even more quickly than the prevalence.

The challenges to governments to respond to the growing numbers of people with dementia are substantial. If the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not defined, and treatments to delay or prevent the disease are not provided, the world will face an unprecedented health-care problem by the middle of the century.



The total estimated worldwide costs of dementia were around 604 billion per year at present and is expected to increase even more quickly than the prevalence.


The challenges to governments to respond to the growing numbers of people with dementia are substantial. If the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not defined, and treatments to delay or prevent the disease are not provided, the world will face an unprecedented health-care problem by the middle of the century.