Alzheimer is becoming a very serious issue due to the large aging population. Currently, there is an estimated 30 to 35 million people with Alzheimer’s and that number is only expected to increase. By the year 2030, 66 million people will be infected by the mental disease and by 2050, a shocking 115 million are expected to have Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Daisy Acosta, a researcher, who chairs the Executive Board of Alzheimer’s disease International, told the U. S. House of Representatives that Alzheimer’s is becoming a global problem. There is a call for more funding towards Alzheimer’s research and care programs. She states that other countries are launching national plans to deal with the increase of people infected with Alzheimer’s. Acosta is urging that the US follows suit with the other countries making efforts to accommodate the expected rise of Alzheimer.

There are more than 5 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s and to fund the disease annually for all Americans costs over 170$ billion.

However, not all countries are prepared for the rising number of elderly people who may become infected with a form of dementia. Acosta put the situation in a different perspective and stated if Alzheimer’s was a country it would be the 18th largest economy based on GDP.