Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were the leading cause of death in Britain in 2021 (followed by Covid-19 and heart disease), and a top 10 cause of death in the United States. Dementia is a general term used for several diseases that destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, leading to difficulty with memory, thinking and other cognitive functions. Behind those statistics is a heartbreaking condition for individuals (and their loved ones) as they become confused and disoriented, struggle to recognise family, friends and caregivers, and lose the ability to live independently.
Recent studies from across the world have highlighted that dementia cases are likely to rise dramatically. For instance, an analysis of 15,000 middle-aged US adults in Nature Medicine in January 2025 found that in study participants, the lifetime risk of developing dementia after 55 was 42%. Basically, an estimated 42% of over 55-year-old Americans will eventually develop dementia. This is considerably higher than previous studies had found. The authors say that the number of US adults who will develop dementia annually is expected to double over the next four decades. The numbers are eye-wateringly high, and they align with a growing concern in public health that with more people living longer and elderly people becoming a larger proportion of the population, cases will increase dramatically, with associated health and social care challenges.
