Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) now make up 7 of the world’s top 10 causes of death (up from 4 out of 10 in the year 2000) according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, published on 9 December 2020. The report, on “2019 Global Health Estimates” covers the period from 2000 to 2019. The estimates reveal trends over the last two decades in mortality and morbidity caused by diseases and injuries. While heart disease remains the number one cause of death, globally, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are now among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, ranking 3 in both the Americas and Europe in 2019.
Against the backdrop of COVID-19 and its disproportionate impact on people with dementia, these statistics from the WHO underline the importance of ensuring dementia remains a political priority across health, research and social policy. Alzheimer Europe’s new report “Dementia as a European Priority – A Policy Overview” sets forth a number of recommendations to ensure this happens. See the WHO’s Global Health Estimates, here: https://www.who.int/data/global-health-estimates