Global Alzheimer's Month highlights importance of prevention and care

During the September 2026 World Alzheimer's Month, international health organizations and local experts in Cyprus are emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and cognitive health management. As the international campaign theme suggests, earlier knowledge allows for more effective action, distinguishing between normal age-related memory fluctuations and clinical signs of dementia. Experts note that dementia is not an inevitable consequence of aging, and lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce risk.

Global statistics underscore the severity of the crisis, with nearly 10 million new dementia cases recorded annually. Projections indicate that the number of people living with dementia will exceed 130 million by 2050, up from 57 million in 2021. In Cyprus, Alzheimer's and related forms of dementia were identified as the second leading cause of death for women and the sixth for men as of 2021.

Support initiatives, such as those provided by the Ithaki Foundation in Nicosia, Limassol, and through a mobile unit serving Paphos, provide cognitive training and psychosocial support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently updated its guidelines, urging public health systems to prioritize the management of chronic conditions and the reduction of environmental risk factors to delay the onset of cognitive decline.