Cognitive Screening at the Population Level: The Italian Health Examination Survey, 2008-2012

Abstract

In 2011, 35.6 million people worldwide were living with dementia. 1 World Alzheimer’s Report 2009. Alzheimer’s Disease International, London2009 Google Scholar This number will more than triple by 2050. 1 World Alzheimer’s Report 2009. Alzheimer’s Disease International, London2009 Google Scholar Among noncommunicable diseases, dementia accounts for 11.9% of years lived with disability, 2 The Global Burden of Disease: 2004 Update. World Health Organization, Geneva2008 Google Scholar and the annual global cost of either formal or informal care has been more than US$600 billion in 2010, with alarming, probably unsustainable, increases expected in the near future. 3 World Alzheimer’s Report 2010: the global economic impact of dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease International, London2010 Google Scholar Given this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set dementia as a major public health priority. 4 World Health Organization and Alzheimer’s Disease International Dementia: a public health priority. World Health Organization, Geneva2012 Google Scholar On December 7, 2017, the WHO has launched the web-based platform Global Dementia Observatory, with the aim to monitor the presence of national policy and plans for surveillance and care of dementia either within countries or globally. 5 World Health Organization Mental health: Development of the Global Dementia Observatory. www.who.int/mental_health/neurology/dementia/GDO/en/Date accessed: December 11, 2017 Google Scholar The WHO emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and surveillance of the condition at a population level, especially in relation to potentially modifiable risk factors. 4 World Health Organization and Alzheimer’s Disease International Dementia: a public health priority. World Health Organization, Geneva2012 Google Scholar