Dementia cases to double in England, Wales by 2040

The number of people with dementia in England and Wales is expected almost to double to 1.7 million by 2040.
Rates in the population are increasing far more quickly than previously believed, a trend that is being connected to growing disparities, obesity, and bad lifestyles. According to a University College London study, the number of future cases will be 42% higher than previous projections had shown, putting a "considerably larger" burden on the NHS and social care.
The expected number of dementia cases in England and Wales is close to 900,000, but if current trends continue, this number might rise to 1.2 million by 2030 and 1.7 million by 2040. The research, which was published in The Lancet Public Health, examined data from English residents between the ages of 50 and 80 between 2002 and 2019.
Between 2008 and 2016, dementia incidence increased by 25 per cent. The study said that an “epidemic” of obesity and type 2 diabetes — both risk factors for dementia — may have contributed.
“Other possible explanations include worsening risk factors in socially disadvantaged groups and improved survival for patients with stroke,” it said.
It is possible to avoid four out of ten cases of dementia by making lifestyle improvements including quitting smoking, eating less, and drinking less alcohol.
The study revises a 2017 prediction that put the number of cases at 1.2 million by 2040. This number was computed using historical data that indicated a positive decline in dementia rates.