Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) has released its annual World Alzheimer Report, with the focus this year on attitudes toward dementia, including the stigma that remains associated with the condition.
The World Alzheimer Report 2024 is based on the results of a global survey of more than 40,000 people, including those living with dementia, carers, healthcare practitioners, and the general public, across 166 countries and territories, and includes real life case studies as well as 24 essays written by experts in the field.
The survey is a follow-up to ADI’s 2019 Attitudes to Dementia survey, and shows how perceptions of dementia have changed over the five-year period.
The report gives real life examples of how the stigma and discrimination around dementia can be addressed, including advocacy in low- and middle-income countries to innovative outreach programmes for youth and marginalised groups.
Some of the key findings of the 2024 survey include:
- 65% of health and care professionals incorrectly believe dementia is a normal part of ageing.
- 80% of the general public incorrectly believe dementia is a normal part of ageing, a dramatic increase compared to 66% in 2019.
- 88% of people living with dementia say they have experienced discrimination.
- Over a quarter of people globally incorrectly believe there is nothing we can do to prevent dementia.
