Rising Disparities in Dementia Rates in China: New Study Highlights Growing Concern

Recent research indicates that China is experiencing a disproportionate rise in dementia cases, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADD). A comprehensive study published in PLOS One analyzed over thirty years of global health data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database, revealing that between 1990 and 2021, the number of dementia cases in China has tripled — a rate significantly higher than the doubling observed worldwide. Women are more affected overall, partly due to their longer life expectancy, though men tend to have slightly higher mortality from the disease.

The study projects that, if current trends continue, dementia rates in China will keep climbing over the next 15 years. Key risk factors identified include high blood sugar, often resulting from diabetes, along with smoking and excess weight, which are especially prevalent among older men. Effective interventions targeting these risk factors could potentially slow future increases.

Main drivers behind the surge in dementia cases are demographic shifts and population growth, with an aging population amplifying the burden. The researchers emphasize that reducing controllable risk factors such as blood sugar levels and smoking habits—particularly among seniors—could mitigate the rise in dementia prevalence.

According to the authors, the global and Chinese disease burdens of ADD have been steadily increasing from 1990 to 2021. Addressing these risk factors through public health initiatives and targeted strategies remains crucial to managing the epidemic.

This study underscores the urgent need for enhanced awareness and preventative measures to tackle the growing challenge of dementia in China, integral to reducing future healthcare burdens.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-dementia-china-disproportionately.html