World Alzheimer Report 2009 - Executive Summary

2009 Executive Summary initiative from the European Commission as the first international action plan on dementia. This Report gives an overview and analysis of the situation, based on the currently available research data. The 2009 World Alzheimer Report confirms that there are many millions of people living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. This Report and all earlier studies indicate that the current number of people living with dementia is expected to grow at an alarming rate. ADI believes this Report provides the best available estimates of dementia prevalence at a worldwide level. The scientists working on behalf of ADI used meta-analyses that produce estimates for all the world regions in the way that is explained in the full version of the Report. ADI does not present estimates for individual countries and understands that different studies may be preferred to determine national prevalence figures. ADI encourages national Alzheimer prevalence research in individual countries; the use of those local results may be more accurate. It is clear that more research on the prevalence and impact of the disease is needed. ADI will therefore carry out follow up reports, beginning with economic data in 2010. We hope this will stimulate all those involved: governments, policy makers, health care professionals and Alzheimer associations, to work together on more and better solutions for dementia. With a new case of dementia in the world every seven seconds there is no time to lose. Preface Demographic ageing is a worldwide process that shows the successes of improved health care over the last century. Many are now living longer and healthier lives and so the world population has a greater proportion of older people. We all agree that ageing brings some challenges as well. Many international meetings have touched on this issue and adopted statements, for instance the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing from 2002. A clearly negative effect of ageing is the significant increase in the number of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) has commissioned this Report in order to support Alzheimer associations around the world in working with their governments on strategies to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers, and to increase research efforts. To encourage the development of those national strategies, it is very important that the World Health Organization makes dementia a global health priority. If a country is in the business …