In a recent report by the state-run Global Times, it was revealed that China has now become the country with the largest number of Alzheimer's patients worldwide. Typically afflicting older individuals, Alzheimer's disease is taking an alarming turn in China, affecting people at increasingly younger ages.
According to the "Alzheimer's Patients Demand Insight Report" released in Beijing, approximately 15.07 million Chinese citizens aged 60 and above suffer from dementia, with a staggering 9.83 million diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This trend is closely tied to China's rapidly aging population.
Notably, the report indicates that the highest incidence of new Alzheimer's diagnoses occurs among individuals aged 60 to 79, constituting 62.1% of the total cases. Strikingly, a significant portion—21.3%—of Alzheimer's cases in China are found in individuals under the age of 60, surpassing international statistics, where early-stage Alzheimer's typically affects only 5% to 10% of patients.
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This concerning development underscores the need for early screening and diagnosis, particularly for individuals within the working-age bracket. Alarmingly, over 60% of Alzheimer's patients in China have not yet undergone screening, and 12.8% are unaware of the necessity for such assessments.
Lu Lin, an esteemed academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the president of the Sixth Hospital of Peking University, points out that Alzheimer's prevalence is on the rise in China. The numbers are significant, with 5-6% of individuals over 65 affected, increasing to 10% at age 70 and a staggering 48% at age 90. Globally, tackling Alzheimer's presents a substantial challenge, with no specific drug available for the disease. Prevention, therefore, emerges as a key strategy.
Lu emphasises the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and sufficient sleep, as a means to ward off Alzheimer's disease. Such proactive measures, he asserts, can play a vital role in mitigating the growing Alzheimer's crisis in China and beyond.