Accra:The number of people developing dementia worldwide each year is projected to more than double from 11.4 million in 2023 to 24.7 million by 2050, according to a major international study.

According to Anadolu Agency, the research published in JAMA Neurology analyzed data from 38,418 participants across 22 population-based studies in 18 countries and territories on six continents. Over 287,000 person-years of monitoring revealed that 3,001 participants developed dementia, resulting in a global age- and sex-standardized incidence rate of 9.7 new cases per 1,000 person-years.

Incidence refers to how frequently new cases develop, differing from prevalence, which is the total number of people already living with a condition. The study found that after accounting for age differences, the incidence rate was 10.6 cases per 1,000 person-years among women and 8.6 among men.

There was a notable disparity in incidence rates between countries of different income levels. Low- and middle-income countries recorded 13.6 cases per 1,000 person-years, compared to 8.3 in high-income countries. Lead author Ashleigh Vella from the University of New South Wales' Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing noted that dementia incidence is not evenly distributed, with higher rates observed among women and in lower-income regions.

The projection of 24.7 million annual cases by 2050 was calculated using the study's incidence rates and expected population figures, assuming the rates remain constant. This projected increase is primarily attributed to population growth and aging.

Researchers emphasized that these findings could assist governments in planning for future needs related to diagnosis, treatment, long-term care, and support services, particularly in underrepresented low-resource countries. Currently, dementia affects over 57 million people worldwide, with previous estimates suggesting that the number could reach 150 million by 2050.

Study co-author Henry Brodaty highlighted the significant pressure that 24 million new cases annually would place on individuals, families, health systems, and economies globally. He called for proactive measures to reduce modifiable risk factors, identify at-risk individuals earlier, and enhance diagnosis, treatment, and care.