Alzheimer's Disease Statistics

As the baby boomers in North America approach their sixties, the disease that they fear most is Alzheimer's disease. The risk of getting it increases dramatically once people approach their 60th birthday.

The prevalence rate of this disease can best be understood through analyses of statistics that have been prepared and made available to the public by various North American health institutions.

In the year 1966, 21,166 deaths relating to Alzheimer's diseases were reported in USA according to US Government Statistics. According to the same statistics, this disease was ranked in the 14th position as a cause of deaths in the country. It is estimated that the annual cost of lost wages and health care for caregivers amounts to between $80 and $100 billion.

The 1994th edition of American Journal of Public Health reported that US businesses spend about $61 in an effort to deal with problems relating to the Alzheimer's disease. This shows that this disease should not be underrated and it is the high time more funds were directed into research institutions that specialize in this medical specialty.

According to Alzheimer's Association, 2004, the US government had set aside $640 million for research directly related to this disease. Previously, in 1998, the Canadian Medical Association had reported that the government had spent $9,451 for every individual who was diagnosed with a mild case of the Alzheimer's disease.

An in-depth analysis of these Alzheimer's disease statistics will reveal that the disease poses a real threat to the economic future of many nations. Figures provided by Hospital Episode Statistics in the English Department of Health shows that 78% of all the people seeking Alzheimer's consultation required to be hospitalized in England between 2002 and 2003. In the same year, 53% of all cases of this disease required emergency medical attention in England.

Statistics have it all; the problem of Alzheimer's disease is real and the earlier researchers came up with a new approach of treating it, the better. Patients with this disease tend to spend more time in hospital beds than in the case with many other diseases. Moreover, people with the Alzheimer's tend to suffer from other health problems mainly due to old age.

Many researches are being done with a view to determine the average hospital bed days for a whole year in different states. A comparison needs to be made between these figures and average number of annual hospital consultation episodes. The findings of such a research will be very helpful in coming up with management program for the disease.

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