Worldwide, 55 million people suffer from dementia . By the end of this decade, it could be 78 million and by 2050, up to 139 million people.

According to the WHO, the costs associated with the disease are $1.3 trillion. By 2030, they could be as high as $2.8 trillion.

The world is leaving people with dementia out in the cold, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to him, more needs to be done to ensure that these people live with dignity and that health services are not alone in caring for dementia patients.

People with dementia, their families and carers experience age discrimination, stigma and social exclusion. This cannot happen in our societies," states the WHO.

People are living longer and longer

One of the main reasons for the increasing number of people with dementia is that people are living longer than previous generations thanks to healthy lifestyles. However, as people get older, the risk of diseases, including dementia, increases. This disease causes people to gradually lose cognitive function.

The disease usually occurs with age, but can be caused by head trauma or Alzheimer's disease. In about 60% of cases, it affects women.

The WHO warns that due to the many failed clinical trials to date, interest in developing drugs for dementia is declining.

Only one in four countries has a comprehensive strategy to support dementia patients and their families , the WHO reported.