Dementia: a global health priority - highlights from an ADI and World Health Organization report

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease International is the worldwide federation of Alzheimer associations that represent people with dementia and their families. Alzheimer's Disease International has commissioned a number of World Alzheimer Reports since 2009 and was involved in the recently launched report Dementia: A Public Health Priority by the World Health Organization. From these reports, we can learn about the growing impact of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias on our societies and the need to take action. Developing national Alzheimer plans is a key tool for this action.

Figure 1

Growth in numbers of people with dementia in high-income countries and low income and middle income countries.

Figure 2

Cost of dementia compared with national economies.

Figure 3

Care costs per person with dementia in different World Bank income groups. Costs in US$.