A landmark study has projected the cases of dementia globally to more than double from 11.4m in 2023 to 24.7m a year by 2050, with women and lower-income countries disproportionately affected.
The study, led by University of NSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), analysed 38,418 people through population-based studies from 18 countries and territories (ABC).
Co-author Professor Henry Brodaty, the CHeBA co-director and this year’s Senior Australian of the Year, said: “24m new cases of dementia every year would place enormous pressure on individuals, families, health systems and economies around the world” (Nine).
The study suggested that the higher prevalence could be caused by factors that include menopause, cardio metabolic factors and disproportionate educational and occupational opportunities (ABC).
Brodaty said ways to prevent or delay dementia included engaging in at least half an hour of physical activity five days a week, staying socially connected and eating the Mediterranean diet (ABC).
Read more: Dementia and the ageing brain (The Saturday Paper)