Combating Alzheimer's: World Economic Forum Invests $700 Million in Research and Diagnostics

Strategic Insights -

The World Economic Forum's initiative, Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative, has invested $700 million over six years into drug development and healthcare diagnostics to combat Alzheimer's disease, which is one of the biggest causes of death and disability worldwide. Research has shown that a healthy lifestyle can cut the chances of getting dementia, even for people whose genes put them at increased risk. A study investigated whether people with a higher genetic risk could reduce their chances of getting the condition by following seven habits for healthy living, including managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, reducing blood sugar, getting active, eating better, losing weight, and stopping smoking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The World Economic Forum's Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative is investing $700 million over six years into drug development and healthcare diagnostics to combat Alzheimer's disease.
  • Research has shown that a healthy lifestyle can cut the chances of getting dementia, even for people whose genes put them at increased risk.
  • The seven habits for healthy living, as per the American Heart Association's (AHA) Life's Essential 8, include managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, reducing blood sugar, getting active, eating better, losing weight, and stopping smoking.
  • The study found that participants with the highest scores for following a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to have dementia, including those with genetic variants linked to Alzheimer's.
  • For those with European ancestry, following a healthy lifestyle was linked to a 43% lower risk of developing dementia, while for those with African ancestry, it was linked to a 17% lower risk.
  • Treating failing eyesight and high cholesterol can also lower the risk of developing dementia, according to a more recent study.
  • Alzheimer's is among the 10 leading causes of death in the US, and dementia is the seventh leading cause of death among all diseases worldwide.
  • Establishing a healthy lifestyle, including treating failing eyesight and high cholesterol, can reduce the number of people who get dementia, resulting in better health outcomes and reduced global social and economic costs.

Statistics:

  • More than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) expects dementia cases to rise to 139 million by 2050.
  • The global financial bill for dementia is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2030.
  • The average number of hours spent caring for sufferers is five hours a day.
  • Informal carers, including family and friends, spend an average of five hours a day caring for sufferers.

Sources:

  • World Economic Forum's press release (undated, though updated in August 2024)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • American Academy of Neurology (2022 study)
  • Alzheimer's Research UK
  • Alzheimer's Association
  • Statista