As dementia cases continue to rise globally, a new study offers a promising outlook. In 2021, approximately 57 million people were living with dementia, and this number is projected to reach 153 million by 2050. However, the latest research suggests that the risk of developing dementia may be decreasing in younger generations.
Led by economist Xiaoxue Dou at the University of Queensland, Australia, the study examined health survey data from the U.S., Europe, and England. The research, which analyzed cross-sectional observational data, looked at dementia prevalence across different age groups.
The study found that individuals born in more recent decades were less likely to develop dementia, with this trend being more noticeable in women than men.
Key Findings on Dementia Prevalence
The research specifically focused on people aged 71 and older. Data showed that younger cohorts had lower rates of dementia compared to older generations. In the U.S., 21.2% of people in this age group had dementia, compared to 38.9% in Europe and 28.3% in England.
For example, in the U.S., among individuals aged 81 to 85, 25.1% of those born between 1890 and 1913 had dementia, while only 15.5% of those born between 1939 and 1943 were affected.
Sabrina Lenzen, a co-author of the study, explained to The Guardian that these trends are observed across the three regions studied, though the rates vary. The researchers caution that their data may not fully capture the experiences of minority groups.
Implications for Healthcare and Long-Term Care
The findings suggest that while the global aging population may result in more people living with dementia, the percentage of those affected could decrease. This generational decline in dementia risk, the researchers note, has significant implications for healthcare planning, long-term care policies, and workforce requirements in aging populations.
This study was published in JAMA Network Open and offers a hopeful outlook for future generations.
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