Dementia cases are rising faster in China than the rest of the world

Dementia rates in China have experienced a significant surge, outpacing global trends and raising concerns about the country’s healthcare system and elderly population. According to research conducted by Daoying Geng and her team at Fudan University, dementia cases in China have more than quadrupled over the past few decades, reaching nearly 17 million in 2021.

The study, which analyzed dementia rates in 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2021, highlighted population growth as a primary factor driving the increase in dementia cases in China. The aging population, particularly the large cohort of individuals born during the baby boom in the 1950s, has reached the highest risk age group for dementia, contributing to the escalating numbers.

Additionally, the research identified smoking, diabetes, and obesity as significant contributors to the rise in dementia rates in China. While smoking rates among women remain low, approximately half of Chinese men smoke, posing a risk factor for dementia. Moreover, the adoption of a Western diet high in fats and calories has led to an increase in diabetes and obesity, both of which are known risk factors for dementia.

Xi Chen, a researcher at Yale University, emphasized the economic and social implications of the growing dementia crisis in China. Citing the high cost of caregiving and treatment for dementia patients, Chen pointed out the challenges posed by an aging population with fewer young people available to provide care.

As China continues to grapple with the escalating burden of dementia, researchers and policymakers face the urgent task of developing strategies to address the healthcare needs of the elderly population and mitigate the impact of this debilitating condition on individuals and society as a whole.