Dementia, Britain’s biggest killer, affects more than 55 million people worldwide, with 7,000 new diagnoses in England every month. The global health cost is expected to reach $2.8tn by 2030, tripling by 2050. However, there is a postcode lottery for diagnosis, with only 65% of over-65s in England diagnosed as of June 2024, falling short of the government’s target of 66.7%.
A report from the all-party parliamentary group on dementia found that structural issues such as access to GPs, cultural barriers, and lack of post-diagnostic support could be stopping patients seeking or obtaining a diagnosis. London has the lowest number of cases compared to its population, while the highest numbers are found in regions with older populations.
Although dementia mainly affects older people, one in 14 known sufferers in England had young-onset dementia. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with young-onset dementia, with double the number of men under 50 having a diagnosis compared to women. In older age groups, women outnumber men with the disease, possibly due to longer life expectancy.
The Alzheimer’s Society UK estimated almost 900,000 people living with dementia in 2021, with half of cases thought to be misdiagnosed or not picked up at all. The figures also suggest that white people have a lower rate of diagnosis than other ethnic groups. The fight against dementia continues nationwide, with efforts to improve diagnosis rates and support for patients.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
