Report Reveals China Leading in Alzheimer's Patients Worldwide

China is facing a growing challenge with Alzheimer's disease, which is typically associated with the elderly but is increasingly affecting younger individuals in the country. According to a report titled "Alzheimer's Patients Demand Insight Report" released in Beijing, China now has the highest number of Alzheimer's patients in the world.

The report reveals that approximately 15.07 million people aged 60 and above in China have dementia, with 9.83 million of them suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Notably, the disease is now being diagnosed in individuals at a younger age than previously observed.

In China, the highest number of new Alzheimer's diagnoses is occurring in individuals aged 60 to 79, constituting 62.1 percent of the total population of patients. Alarmingly, patients with Alzheimer's who are under the age of 60 make up 21.3 percent of the total, a significantly higher proportion compared to international statistics, which typically report between 5 to 10 percent of cases in this age group.

This trend is concerning because those diagnosed with Alzheimer's at a younger age are typically of working age. The report emphasizes the importance of early screening and diagnosis for this demographic.

Shockingly, over 60 percent of Alzheimer's patients have not yet been screened, and 12.8 percent are unaware of the need for screening, highlighting the urgency of improving awareness and healthcare access.

Lu Lin, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the Sixth Hospital of Peking University, noted that Alzheimer's prevalence in China is on the rise, with percentages such as 5-6 percent among those over 65, 10 percent at the age of 70, and a striking 48 percent at the age of 90.

Currently, there is no specific drug for Alzheimer's, making prevention a crucial strategy. Lu Lin recommended a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and adequate sleep, as effective measures to prevent Alzheimer's disease. This underscores the significance of public health initiatives and awareness campaigns to tackle this growing health challenge in China.

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