An interactive map created by MailOnline reveals that up to one in 35 people in certain parts of England have dementia. Charities estimate that approximately 950,000 people across the country are living with this memory-robbing disorder, a number that is expected to increase to 2 million by 2050 as life expectancy rises. Scientists are urging officials to approve game-changing new drugs for Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. The prevalence of dementia varies across England, with the highest rates found among individuals over 80 years old. Seaside towns in Dorset, Hampshire, Norfolk, Essex, and Sussex are particularly affected.
According to data from Alzheimer’s Research UK, 2.81% of the population in Christchurch, Dorset, are living with dementia. Other areas with high prevalence rates include New Forest West (2.65%), North Norfolk (2.44%), and Clacton (2.43%). The difference in rates can be attributed to varying demographics, with age being the biggest risk factor for dementia. For instance, in Christchurch, where dementia rates are highest, one-third of residents are over 65, compared to just 6.2% in Poplar and Limehouse.
The number of people affected by dementia is increasing due to longer life expectancy. It is estimated that over 1 million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025, rising to over 2 million by 2050. Dementia is caused by various diseases, many of which are associated with an abnormal accumulation of proteins in the brain. Besides age, other risk factors for dementia include sex, ethnicity, underlying health conditions, lifestyle choices, and exposure to pollution. It is believed that around 40% of dementia cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity.
Dementia not only has a significant impact on individuals and their families but also poses a healthcare crisis. The cost of dementia in the UK is estimated to be £26.3 billion per year, surpassing the costs of cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Recent trial findings have shown promising results for a new drug called donanemab, which has been found to slow the decline of Alzheimer’s by up to 60%. Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of the drug, has applied for regulatory approval in the US and plans to seek approval in the UK as well. However, some concerns have been raised about the potential side effects and cost-effectiveness of these new drugs.
Efforts to find a cure for dementia have been ongoing for over a century, from the initial discovery of the disease by Alois Alzheimer in 1906 to the recent breakthroughs in drug development. It is crucial to invest in further research and drug development to bring us closer to a cure for this devastating condition.
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