Information about Alzheimer’s and related dementias

Infographic version

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is named after the German physician, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 35.6 million people around the globe are currently living with dementia. This number is expected to double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050.

Canadian statistics

  • 2011 = 747 000 Canadians were living with Alzheimer’s or related dementias
  • 2031 = 1.4 million Canadians are expected to have the disease
  • Age is a risk factor; Alzheimer’s disease affects:
    • 5% of Canadians age 65 +
    • 25% of those age 85 +

Gender differences

  • 72% of Alzheimer's sufferers are women
  • 62% of dementia cases are women

Economic cost of dementia

  • 2011 = $33 billion
  • 2040 = $293 billion

Funding

  • 2003-2013 = $214 million, CIHR funding for dementia research

Resources

Sources: World Health Organization & Alzheimer’s Society of Canada

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