by DEVANSHI SRIVASTAVA
According to the Globe Health Organization (WHO), more than 55 million individuals worldwide suffer from dementia, a neurological disease that causes them to lose their memories and costs the world $1.3 trillion each year.
The progressive condition can be brought on by a stroke, a brain injury, or Alzheimer’s disease, and as the world’s populations grow older, the number of people suffering from it is expected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050, according to a report released on Thursday by the World Health Organization.
Despite this, only one in every four nations has a national strategy in place to assist dementia patients and their families, according to the report, which calls on governments to rise to the public health challenge of dementia care.
The majority of these nations are located in Europe, with the rest spread throughout various other areas of the globe.
However, even in Europe, many programmes are about to expire or have already expired, suggesting that governments must reaffirm their commitment, according to the World Health Organization.
“Dementia robs millions of individuals of their memories, independence, and dignity, but it also robs the rest of us of the people we know and love,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organization’s head.
In a statement, he was reported as stating, “The world is failing individuals suffering with dementia, and this affects all of us.”
In 2015, health ministers agreed on a worldwide action plan, which included early diagnosis and the provision of treatment. However, the strategy is falling short of achieving goals by 2025, according to the report.
Most individuals who get dementia are above the age of 65, although it may affect persons as young as their 30s and 40s.
Although there is no cure, studies have shown that a healthy lifestyle may prevent or postpone the onset of about 40% of cases.
Depression, poor educational attainment, social isolation, and a lack of cognitive stimulation are all risk factors.
Dementia has a negative impact on memory, orientation, learning capacity, language, judgement, and the ability to carry out daily activities, among other things.
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