The number of Belgians suffering from dementia is expected to increase by 73% by 2050. This is what emerges from a study by the medical magazine The Lancet. Globally, a 300% increase in cases is expected.
At the moment 57 million people suffer from dementia in the world. In Belgium, 190,477 people fight against this disease. An increase due in particular to the aging of the population, but not only.
Lifestyle also plays an important role. Tobacco, obesity and diabetes are also factors.
Even more surprisingly, the fourth risk factor is lack of education. It generates certain harmful behaviors for health but would also have consequences on the cognitive heritage. In other words, the brain would be less “armed” to fight against dementia, according to specialists.
The figures for dementia vary greatly between countries. Thus, Japan is expected to experience the smallest increase in dementia cases. Aging is very important there, but the lifestyle and the excellent level of education are damaging to disease.