Dementia in Latin America: Epidemiological Evidence and Implications for Public Policy

Abstract

Population aging is among the most important global transformations. Today, 12% of the world population is of age 60 and over and by the middle of this century this segment will represent 21.5%. The increase in population of those aged 80 and over, also referred to as the “oldest old” or the “very elderly”, will be even more pronounced, going from 1.7% of the population to 4.5% within the same period. Compared to European and North American countries, Latin America (LA) is experiencing this unprecedented demographic change at a significantly faster rate. Due to demographic and health transitions, the number of people with dementia will rise from 7.8 million in 2013 to over 27 million by 2050. Nowadays, the global prevalence of dementia in LA has reached 7.1%, with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) being the most frequent type. This level is similar to those found in developed countries; however, the dementia rate is twice as high as that of the 65–69 years age group in developed countries. In addition, the prevalence and incidence of dementia is higher among illiterate people. Mortality rates due to dementia have risen considerably. The burden and costs of the disease are high and must be covered by patients’ families. The prevention of dementia and the development of long-term care policies and plans for people with dementia in LA, which take into account regional differences and similarities, should be urgent priorities.

Sensitivity and specificity of a briefer version of the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCog‐Short) in the detection of cognitive decline in the elderly: An exploratory study

“…The impact of educational level in cognitive performance can be understood in terms of how it promotes the development of different abilities in the brain and also on how it contributes for the development of “cognitive reserve,” a concept that proposes that individual differences in cognitive processing lead to different degrees of resilience in face of brain pathology . In developing countries, such as Brazil, schooling years vary greatly among different regions, and a significant proportion of the elderly have low educational level . To address this problem, we created 2 versions of the CAMCog‐Short, one aiming individuals with 0 to 8 years of education, and another for subjects with >8 or more years of education.…”

“…In Brazil, a translated and adapted version of the CAMCog was published in 1999. Experience has shown that even though the CAMCog is suitable for diagnostic approach and follow‐up in the Brazilian population, it has some limitations, namely, the long time for administration and its susceptibility to the influence of educational level, a still important issue in developing countries …”

Cardiovascular health and dementia incidence among older adults in Latin America: Results from the 10/66 study

“…6 In addition, dementia disability burden in Latin America has grown more than have other health conditions in the last decades. 3 Thus, at the family level, dementia care will place a great burden on relatives, impacting the health of informal family caregivers. 3 Thus, at the family level, dementia care will place a great burden on relatives, impacting the health of informal family caregivers.…”

“…3 Thus, at the family level, dementia care will place a great burden on relatives, impacting the health of informal family caregivers. 3,10,11 In fact, in these countries, the directly attributable cost of dementia exceeds that of depression, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. 3,10,11 In fact, in these countries, the directly attributable cost of dementia exceeds that of depression, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and stroke.…”

Advancements of the sFIDA method for oligomer‐based diagnostics of neurodegenerative diseases

“…Today, 12 % of the world's population is 60 years of age and older, and by the middle of this century, this segment will rise to 22 %. . This goes along with serious health concerns, as some of the most prevalent diseases are age‐related.…”