The Biggest Threat to the Oldest of the Old

“Once virtually nonexistent, the world’s population of centerians is projected to reach nearly 6 million by midcentury.”(ABC news, see below) This new data will push the median age towards 50 in most nations and challenge the views of what it means to be truly old. In 1950, there were a few thousand centarians world wide, today there are an estimated 340,000. “Their numbers are projected to grow at more than 20 times the rates of the total population by 2050, making them the fastest growing age segment. As the new 90+ age group increases researchers are following suit and now examining the risks of disease and memory impairment.

Research by the University of California, in the February issue of the Annals of Neurology, “…found that the incidence rate for all causes of dementia in people age 90 and older is 18.2% annually and significantly increases with age in both men and women. The study, called “The 90+ Study” is one of only a few to examine dementia in people in this extreme age group. Previously there were an insufficient number of centenarians. Dr. Maria Corrada, Sc.D, says, “Given the population projections for this age group along with our findings, dementia in the oldest-old threatens to become an epidemic with enormous public health impact.”

To view a complete article of the study on ScienceDaily.com visit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100224103353.htm

To Read the ABC article reference visit: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=812352