Ithaki Foundation highlights dementia as a major public health challenge in Cyprus

Ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day, the Ithaki Foundation has released data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding the impact of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in Cyprus during 2021. The statistics indicate that these conditions were the second leading cause of death for women, with 49.9 deaths per 100,000 population, and the sixth leading cause for men, at 26.8 deaths per 100,000.

On a global scale, the WHO reported that over 57 million people lived with dementia in 2021, with approximately 10 million new cases diagnosed annually, equating to one new case every three seconds. Projections suggest that the global population of individuals with dementia will exceed 130 million by 2050. Isavella Karaoli, President of the Ithaki Foundation, emphasized that the condition represents a significant public health challenge that extends beyond the individual to impact entire families and society as a whole.

In light of these findings, the foundation is calling for increased public awareness, proactive prevention strategies, timely medical diagnosis, and robust support systems for patients and their caregivers. These measures are described as vital to addressing the growing burden of the disease as the population ages.