Pforzheim, tops the list in Baden-Württemberg for the highest incidence of dementia among men
World Alzheimer's Day, observed this Sunday, September 21, serves as a poignant reminder of the growing concern surrounding dementia, particularly in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.
Recent data from the Barmer health insurance company has revealed some intriguing statistical anomalies in the region. One such anomaly is the high incidence of dementia in the district of Calw, with 17.4 cases per 1,000 residents, a 16% increase from the national average.
The city of Baden-Baden, known for its spas and tourism, has a higher average age (47.7 years) than the Baden-Württemberg average (44 years), and a significant proportion of its residents are affected by dementia. In contrast, Pforzheim, with an average age of 42.6 years, has a lower average age, yet a disproportionate number of its residents are affected by the disease.
The state health ministry predicts a significant increase in dementia cases in the future due to rising life expectancy. The number of dementia cases in Baden-Württemberg is currently estimated at around 150,000 to 220,000.
In Baden-Baden, the proportion of women affected by dementia is significantly higher than that of men, while in Pforzheim, men are disproportionately affected.
Seda Budak, an employee of the Pforzheim Youth and Social Office, suggests that unfavorable socio-economic factors may contribute to the high dementia rates in Pforzheim. These factors include a higher proportion of social benefit recipients, more pronounced poverty, higher unemployment, and lower income levels compared to other cities in Baden-Württemberg.
The Ortenau district, on the other hand, has one of the lowest rates of dementia in Baden-Württemberg, with only 9 out of 1,000 residents affected. The city of Görlitz in Saxony has the highest rate of dementia in Germany, with an increase in the number of people in need of care by 52% between 2020 and 2023.
The Barmer Morbidity and Social Atlas shows that Pforzheim has the highest rate of dementia in Baden-Württemberg, with approximately 19 out of 1,000 people affected, which is 28% higher than the national average.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, diabetes, and high blood pressure can contribute to the development of dementia, according to a 2022 report by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention. Globally, around 55 million people are affected by dementia, a number expected to rise to over 139 million by 2050.
Approximately 1.84 million people in Germany live with a dementia-related illness, with Alzheimer's being the most common form. The data from Barmer shows that people aged 70 and above are most likely to develop dementia. The cities of Karlsruhe, Enz district, Rastatt, and Karlsruhe also have relatively low rates of dementia compared to Calw and Pforzheim.
It is crucial to continue efforts in raising awareness about dementia and supporting research to find a cure or effective treatments. On World Alzheimer's Day and beyond, it is essential to remember those affected by the disease and to advocate for improved care and support for patients and their families.
Read also:
- Inadequate supply of accessible housing overlooks London's disabled community
- Strange discovery in EU: Rabbits found with unusual appendages resembling tentacles on their heads
- Duration of a Travelling Blood Clot: Time Scale Explained
- Fainting versus Seizures: Overlaps, Distinctions, and Proper Responses
