Dementia and Its Implications for Public Health
IntroductionWith the aging of the U.S. population, a better understanding of the presentation and impact of dementia is essential to the future of public health. Dementia refers not to a single disorder but to a number of syndromes characterized by diverse behavioral, cognitive, and emotional impair...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2006-03-01
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| Series: | Preventing Chronic Disease |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2006/apr/05_0167.htm |
| _version_ | 1797428627206307840 |
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| author | Robert F. Anda, MD, MS Tara W. Strine, MPH Sheree Marshall Williams, PhD, MSc Daniel P. Chapman, PhD, MSc Margaret J. Moore, MPH |
| author_facet | Robert F. Anda, MD, MS Tara W. Strine, MPH Sheree Marshall Williams, PhD, MSc Daniel P. Chapman, PhD, MSc Margaret J. Moore, MPH |
| author_sort | Robert F. Anda, MD, MS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionWith the aging of the U.S. population, a better understanding of the presentation and impact of dementia is essential to the future of public health. Dementia refers not to a single disorder but to a number of syndromes characterized by diverse behavioral, cognitive, and emotional impairments. Because dementia is costly in terms of both personal suffering and economic loss, an understanding of its prevalence, risk factors, and potential interventions is emerging as an increasingly important facet of public health and health care delivery. Recent advances in the understanding of its presentation, course, and relevant interventions have taken place.MethodsWe identified articles for review primarily by conducting a Medline search using the subject headings dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Other relevant studies were elicited through a Medline search using the subject headings mental disorders and stigma. ResultsDementia represents a diverse category of syndromes characterized by deficits in memory, cognitive function, and behavior. Symptoms associated with dementia appear to be distributed along a continuum, with even subsyndromal presentations affecting the health of older adults and meriting intervention. To promote cognitive functioning and independence among older adults, public health interventions need to facilitate both early detection and treatment of dementia. The availability of adult day care and respite services is important in maintaining the health and quality of life of individuals caring for older adults with dementia. Recent advances in the treatment of dementia may slow the course of cognitive decline, thereby enhancing the quality of life of older individuals as well as decreasing costs associated with institutional care.ConclusionDespite the growing availability of pharmacologic and psychosocial interventions that are potentially helpful to people with dementia and their caregivers, the majority of older adults with dementia do not receive appropriate treatment. With the aging of the U.S. population, efforts to foster recognition of dementia and its treatments and to destigmatize them are emerging as an increasingly important facet of public health intervention. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:01:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd0760f3032e4e42a9ab18a61322827f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1545-1151 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:01:36Z |
| publishDate | 2006-03-01 |
| publisher | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Preventing Chronic Disease |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd0760f3032e4e42a9ab18a61322827f2023-12-02T11:41:14ZengCenters for Disease Control and PreventionPreventing Chronic Disease1545-11512006-03-0132Dementia and Its Implications for Public HealthRobert F. Anda, MD, MSTara W. Strine, MPHSheree Marshall Williams, PhD, MScDaniel P. Chapman, PhD, MScMargaret J. Moore, MPHIntroductionWith the aging of the U.S. population, a better understanding of the presentation and impact of dementia is essential to the future of public health. Dementia refers not to a single disorder but to a number of syndromes characterized by diverse behavioral, cognitive, and emotional impairments. Because dementia is costly in terms of both personal suffering and economic loss, an understanding of its prevalence, risk factors, and potential interventions is emerging as an increasingly important facet of public health and health care delivery. Recent advances in the understanding of its presentation, course, and relevant interventions have taken place.MethodsWe identified articles for review primarily by conducting a Medline search using the subject headings dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Other relevant studies were elicited through a Medline search using the subject headings mental disorders and stigma. ResultsDementia represents a diverse category of syndromes characterized by deficits in memory, cognitive function, and behavior. Symptoms associated with dementia appear to be distributed along a continuum, with even subsyndromal presentations affecting the health of older adults and meriting intervention. To promote cognitive functioning and independence among older adults, public health interventions need to facilitate both early detection and treatment of dementia. The availability of adult day care and respite services is important in maintaining the health and quality of life of individuals caring for older adults with dementia. Recent advances in the treatment of dementia may slow the course of cognitive decline, thereby enhancing the quality of life of older individuals as well as decreasing costs associated with institutional care.ConclusionDespite the growing availability of pharmacologic and psychosocial interventions that are potentially helpful to people with dementia and their caregivers, the majority of older adults with dementia do not receive appropriate treatment. With the aging of the U.S. population, efforts to foster recognition of dementia and its treatments and to destigmatize them are emerging as an increasingly important facet of public health intervention.http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2006/apr/05_0167.htmpublic healthchronic diseasepreventiondementia |
| spellingShingle | Robert F. Anda, MD, MS Tara W. Strine, MPH Sheree Marshall Williams, PhD, MSc Daniel P. Chapman, PhD, MSc Margaret J. Moore, MPH Dementia and Its Implications for Public Health Preventing Chronic Disease public health chronic disease prevention dementia |
| title | Dementia and Its Implications for Public Health |
| title_full | Dementia and Its Implications for Public Health |
| title_fullStr | Dementia and Its Implications for Public Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dementia and Its Implications for Public Health |
| title_short | Dementia and Its Implications for Public Health |
| title_sort | dementia and its implications for public health |
| topic | public health chronic disease prevention dementia |
| url | http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2006/apr/05_0167.htm |
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