The latest World
Alzheimer’s Report says more than 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s
disease. That figure is 10 percent higher than researchers forecasted for 2009
several years ago – yet another indicator that demand for Alzheimer’s care will
continue to grow quickly.
The estimate for 2009 was
off by 10 percent because research underestimated Alzheimer’s growing impact in
developing countries, The New York Times
reports. “Barring a medical breakthrough, the World Alzheimer’s Report projects
dementia will nearly double every 20 years. By 2050, it will affect a staggering
115.4 million people … That includes nearly 7 million people in Western Europe,
nearly 7 million in South and Southeast Asia, about 5.5 million in China and
East Asia, and about 3 million in Latin America.”
The World Alzheimer’s
Report puts North America’s total at 4.4 million. The Alzheimer’s Association,
however, estimates that more than 5 million people in the United States alone
live with the disease.
The Alzheimer’s
Association last week launched its “Who Wears Purple Best?” campaign, including
a high-profile online contest and multimedia promotions featuring several
celebrities who have been affected in some way by Alzheimer’s disease. Visitors
to www.alz.org can vote for one of eight
celebrities wearing purple campaign t-shirts, which are also for sale.
