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Dementia will cost over 1 per cent of world’s GDP: study

Costs will exceed revenue of Wal-Mart or Exxon Mobil

Costs associated with dementia will total over 1 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product this year, coming in at over $604 billion. This poses the most significant health and social crisis of the century, notes the World Alzheimer Report, adding that the cost will exceed the revenue of Wal-Mart or Exxon Mobil. Investment in care and treatment is needed, campaigners say, noting that investing now will reduce the burden in the future. A large part of the issue is rising life expectancy, and as people live longer, more people will develop dementia. The number of people with dementia is expected to double by 2030, and triple by 2050.

BBC News

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