A Rapidly Growing Global Burden
Alzheimer’s disease causes 60–70% of dementia cases¹,² and affects over 55 million people worldwide, with numbers projected to triple by 2050¹,².
Early Signs Overlooked as “Just Ageing,” Plus Limited Treatment Options
Early symptoms are often mistaken for normal ageing, leading to delayed diagnosis¹,². In Indonesia, 86% of adults have never heard of Alzheimer’s and interpret symptoms as “pikun karena umur” (“age‑related forgetfulness”)⁴. Treatment has historically been symptomatic rather than disease‑modifying².
Modifiable Risks Add to Global Impact
Lower education, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, hearing loss, and head injury are linked with higher dementia risk⁶. These factors are more common in lower‑resource regions², contributing to greater overall health and socioeconomic impact. In Indonesia, prevalence reaches 20–33%, yet <1% receive a formal diagnosis³.