World Alzheimer Report 2024 Highlights Continued Stigma and Urgency for Action

Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has released the World Alzheimer Report 2024, revealing both progress and persistent challenges in global attitudes towards dementia. The report, a follow-up to the groundbreaking 2019 survey, provides insights into how perceptions of dementia have evolved over the past five years.

Key findings suggest that stigma around dementia remains a significant barrier for those living with the condition and their carers, with public and professional attitudes still deeply influenced by outdated beliefs. Worryingly, the report highlights that 65% of healthcare professionals now believe dementia is a normal part of ageing, up from 62% in 2019, reflecting a growing misunderstanding of the condition.

The report is based on responses from over 40,000 participants across 166 countries, offering a broad spectrum of insights into how people view dementia. While there is greater awareness of lifestyle-related risk factors for dementia in high-income countries, there remains a substantial increase in lower-income regions believing there is little that can be done to prevent it.

Notably, the survey identifies critical gaps in dementia care, especially in regions where resources are scarce. The report calls for urgent efforts to reduce stigma at individual, public, and structural levels, with ADI emphasising the need for better public health campaigns, enhanced training for healthcare professionals, and improved policy frameworks to ensure equitable access to care.

With dementia cases predicted to rise from 55 million in 2019 to 139 million by 2050, ADI stresses the need for immediate action, highlighting that continued misconceptions and stigma could severely impact the quality of life for millions of people globally.

For further information, visit Alzheimer’s Disease International.