The German Alzheimer Society publishes current figures on dementia diseases in Germany every two years. According to the latest survey, around 1.6 million people are currently affected by dementia. The increase is apparently slowing down. Improved living conditions could be one reason.
According to the German Alzheimer's Association, 900 people in Germany develop dementia every day, totaling more than 300,000 new cases per year. While the number is steadily increasing due to demographic change, recent studies suggest the rise is not as steep as previously thought. Although experts previously assumed an increase to 3 million affected individuals by 2050, this number could be between 2.4 and 2.8 million as a result of current developments. The cause might lie in an overall better state of health within the population.
„Prevention is sensible and important“
„The new figures give us hope,“ emphasizes Monika Kraus, chairwoman of the German Alzheimer Society. „We now know how important physical and mental activity, social contact with other people, and a healthy, balanced diet are for preventing dementia. This also includes the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart rhythm disorders, as well as refraining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Even though there are no measures that can completely prevent ever developing any form of dementia, prevention is sensible and important.“ Further information can be found in this Press release.
Based on current population data, epidemiologist Dr. Horst Bickel from the Technical University of Munich collects the most important figures on dementia diseases in Germany every two years for the German Alzheimer's Association. The detailed results are available in a Information Sheet available for download.
