World Failing to Address Dementia Challenge
Only a quarter of countries worldwide have a national policy or plan to support people with dementia and their families, according to a World Health Organization report. The number of people living with dementia is significantly increasing.
Globally, only one in four countries has implemented a national policy, strategy, or plan to support individuals with dementia and their families, according to a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report highlights a growing number of people living with dementia, estimated at over 55 million worldwide. This figure is projected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. The global cost of dementia was estimated at US$1.3 trillion in 2019 and is expected to reach US$1.7 trillion by 2030.
The need to strengthen national support for dementia care, both for patients and caregivers, is emphasized in the report. However, access to services and assistive technologies remains more prevalent in high-income countries compared to low- and middle-income nations.
To address research efforts, a new WHO initiative aims to better coordinate dementia research, with funding having increased notably in high-income countries. Progress has been made in raising public awareness about dementia through various campaigns across different regions.