New research says the number of adults living with dementia worldwide is set to nearly triple by 2050 -- to 153 million.Dementia cases are set to rise in every country, although the largest growth is expected in north Africa and the Middle East; and the smallest increase is forecast for Asia Pacific and western Europe.
Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Dementia - a condition involving a deterioration in cognitive function beyond the normal effects of ageing - now has an estimated global societal cost $1.8 trillion Australian dollars .
A study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, for the first time uses comprehensive country-level estimates to forecast the prevalence of dementia in those aged 40 years and over in 195 nations.
It also accounts for the potential effects of trends in exposure to known dementia risk factors.
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