Dementia Public Health Impact Worldwide Choose a disease process with extensive public health implications (e.g. heart failure dementia kidney disease).,
Research its impact upon both the national and international community using such resources as the World Health Organization.,
Review the goals of Healthy People 2020 regarding this disease process.,
What inequities exist?
Give examples of policies that shape the public nursing response to the disease process.,
Apply one of the theories of health maintenance and promotion to the aggregate. How does systems theory influence policy design?
The Public Health Impact of Dementia
National and International Impact
Dementia, a progressive cognitive decline that affects memory, thinking, and daily functioning, is a major public health challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. It is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency among older adults. In the United States, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that over 6.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. This number is expected to double by 2050 due to an aging population.
The financial burden of dementia is also immense. The global cost of dementia care exceeds $1.3 trillion annually, including medical expenses, long-term care, and informal caregiving by family members. In low- and middle-income countries, dementia care is even more challenging due to limited healthcare infrastructure and resources.
Healthy People 2020 Goals
Healthy People 2020 aimed to improve dementia diagnosis, care, and caregiver support. Some key goals included:
- Early Detection: Increasing the percentage of adults with cognitive impairment who receive a diagnosis.
- Reducing Preventable Hospitalizations: Enhancing chronic disease management to minimize unnecessary hospital visits.
- Supporting Caregivers: Expanding resources for families caring for individuals with dementia.
Health Inequities
Dementia disproportionately affects marginalized groups due to social determinants of health, such as access to healthcare, education, and socioeconomic status.
- Racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are at higher risk for dementia but are less likely to receive early diagnosis and treatment.
- Rural communities have limited access to specialized dementia care and caregiver support services.
- Low-income families struggle with the financial burden of long-term care, which is often not covered by insurance. APA