(Sept. 21) -- The number of people with dementia globally is estimated to nearly double every 20 years, according to a report released Monday for World Alzheimer's Day.
Much of the growth will be fueled by longer life spans and population growth, especially in developing nations.
"Over the next 20 years, the numbers of people with dementia are anticipated to increase by 40 percent in Europe, 63 percent in North America, 77 percent in the southern Latin America ... and 89 percent in the developed Asia Pacific countries," said the report, from Alzheimer's Disease International.
"In comparison, the percentage increase is expected to be 117 percent in East Asia, 107 percent in South Asia, 134-146 percent in the rest of Latin America, and 125 percent in North Africa and the Middle East."
By 2010, an estimated 35.6 million people around the world will be living with dementia. The number is expected to hit 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
One in seven Americans age 71 and older, or about 3.4 million, have dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health. In this age group, 2.4 million people have Alzheimer's disease, NIH research has shown. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some of the causes of the disease are believed to be genetic, while others are thought to be preventable.
65.7 million cases of dementia are expected for 2030 and 115.4 million for 2050. I find this alarming but, is it normal? What with the way we live and all.
