Epidemiology of dementia—the epidemic we saw coming

Dementia is increasingly becoming one of the most pressing issues in the care of elderly people, eclipsing other neurological diseases and is estimated to currently affect 50 million people worldwide. Although the incidence of dementia appears to have stabilized in industrialized countries over the last decade, the extended life expectancy is leading to a significant increase in the number of people living with dementia in developed nations. Estimates from Great Britain suggest that every third child born today will live long enough to be affected by dementia in her or his lifetime. Worldwide, the number of people living with dementia is set to triple to more than 150 million in 2050. This is in large parts due to the developing world catching up—both in terms of incidence and prevalence. A combination of a more westernized way of life with a more affluent society carries a higher risk for dementia, while at the same time extending the overall lifespan. …