Dementia is on track to become the world’s third leading cause of death by 2040, yet governments worldwide continue to downplay its significance, according to a new paper published in Nature Reviews Neurology by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). The report urges global leaders to formally classify dementia as a non-communicable disease (NCD), a step crucial to securing resources for diagnosis, treatment, and care.
Paola Barbarino, CEO of ADI and co-author of the paper criticised the global health community for its lack of action despite the staggering forecast. “Dementia is projected to overtake cancer and diabetes as a leading cause of death, yet it remains sidelined in health policy and funding. This neglect leaves millions of people without access to critical care,” Ms Barbarino said.
By 2040, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will surpass all other causes of death in Australia, where the number of people living with dementia is expected to rise from 420,000 today to over 800,000 by 2050. Globally, the number of individuals affected will nearly triple, reaching 139 million by 2050.
The report highlights that dementia will rank among the top five causes of death in 121 countries, and it is already the leading cause of death in nations such as the UK, Finland, and the Netherlands.
Dementia’s exclusion from major NCD frameworks significantly hampers progress. A recent World Health Organization (WHO) draft report on strengthening services for NCDs during emergencies failed to address dementia, despite its unique vulnerabilities in crises. Similarly, WHO’s 2022 report Invisible Numbers: The True Extent of Non-communicable Diseases focused solely on premature mortality, ignoring the rising mortality rates among those aged over 70—a demographic most affected by dementia.
“Not considering these challenges means ignoring the daily struggles of people living with dementia and their caregivers, who are left unsupported and unprepared,” Ms Barbarino said.
“This omission perpetuates the myth that dementia is simply a natural part of ageing, undermining the urgency of public health intervention,” she added.
The paper emphasises the need to integrate dementia into NCD public health campaigns. Research indicates that up to 45% of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented through early interventions such as improved lifestyle habits, yet these strategies are not widely implemented.
“Ignoring dementia will only exacerbate the challenges faced by ageing societies. It’s time for global leaders to act and provide the resources and strategies needed to combat this growing crisis.”
Paola Barbarino, CEO of ADI
As dementia continues its rapid ascent as a leading global health issue, the clock is ticking for governments to address this looming crisis with the attention it demands.
