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World Alzheimer’s Day in MENA: Acting on Risks, Building Regional Action



World Alzheimer’s Day in MENA: Acting on Risks, Building Regional Action

Authors:
Iman Dajani
Medical Student, Class of 2029
Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar

Ali Chaari, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar

 

Every September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day reminds us that dementia is much more than memory loss - it represents one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Globally, the number of people living with dementia is expected to nearly triple by 2050, rising from about 57.4 million in 2019 to approximately 152.8 million1. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the projected increase is among the fastest in the world: dementia prevalence in MENA is expected to rise by about 367% by 20502. In 2019, approximately 1.33 million people in the region were already living with dementia, generating annual costs of US$10.4-13.9 billion, the majority carried by families providing informal care3.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, and while age remains the strongest risk factor, it is not the only driver. Across MENA, everyday health and lifestyle conditions significantly amplify risk. Smoking prevalence exceeds 30% in many countries, physical inactivity affects 40-50% of adults, and diabetes and hypertension rank among the highest globally4–6.  Obesity is rising rapidly, particularly in Gulf states, while shifts away from traditional diets toward processed foods add to metabolic and vascular stress7. Social isolation, lower education levels (especially among women) and high rates of consanguinity further magnify vulnerability8,9. Environmental stressors such as chronic air pollution and recurrent heat extremes add another layer of risk10. These conditions do not make Alzheimer’s inevitable, but they highlight opportunities for prevention through healthier lifestyles, stronger public health policies, and early interventions.

Qatar has shown what is possible when dementia is prioritized. The Qatar National Dementia Plan (2018-2022) embedded dementia within the National Health Strategy for healthy ageing, emphasizing awareness, timely diagnosis, caregiver support, and research11. In 2024, Hamad Medical Corporation was designated a WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing and Dementia, underscoring Qatar’s role as a regional leader in advancing care models and capacity building12. This experience demonstrates how national strategies can integrate dementia into broader non-communicable disease frameworks.

The task for the wider region is to move from fragmented recognition to coordinated action. Building national dementia plans, embedding risk reduction into existing cardiovascular and diabetes programs, expanding early detection in primary care, and supporting families who shoulder the heaviest burden are essential steps. At the same time, investment in registries and research is critical to capture the true scale of dementia, address unique regional drivers such as consanguinity and climate stress, and ensure equitable access to prevention and care2.

This World Alzheimer’s Day is an opportunity to recognize that while age increases risk, the future of dementia in MENA will be shaped by collective choices. Reducing smoking, increasing physical activity, improving diet, and promoting education and social connection can all lower risk. By learning from Qatar’s leadership and committing to regional collaboration, MENA countries can transform a looming crisis into a path toward healthier ageing and stronger, more resilient communities.

 

References:

  1. Nichols, E. et al. Estimation of the global prevalence of dementia in 2019 and forecasted prevalence in 2050: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Public Health 7, e105–e125 (2022).
  2. Mowafi, S. et al. Dementia in the MENA region uncharted challenges and emerging insights a literature review. Npj Dement. 1, 5 (2025).
  3. Qassem, T. et al. Prevalence and economic burden of dementia in the Arab world. BJPsych Open 9, e126 (2023).
  4. Khattab, A. et al. Smoking habits in the Middle East and North Africa: Results of the BREATHE study. Respir. Med. 106, S16–S24 (2012).
  5. Chaabane, S., Chaabna, K., Abraham, A., Mamtani, R. & Cheema, S. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the Middle East and North Africa: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Sci. Rep. 10, 9363 (2020).
  6. Balouchi, A. et al. Hypertension and Pre-Hypertension in Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control. Curr. Probl. Cardiol. 47, 101069 (2022).
  7. Nasreddine, L. et al. Dietary, Lifestyle and Socio-Economic Correlates of Overweight, Obesity and Central Adiposity in Lebanese Children and Adolescents. Nutrients 6, 1038–1062 (2014).
  8. Darwish, H., Farran, N., Assaad, S. & Chaaya, M. Cognitive Reserve Factors in a Developing Country: Education and Occupational Attainment Lower the Risk of Dementia in a Sample of Lebanese Older Adults. Front. Aging Neurosci. 10, 277 (2018).
  9. Tadmouri, G. O. et al. Consanguinity and reproductive health among Arabs. Reprod. Health 6, 17 (2009).
  10. Waha, K. et al. Climate change impacts in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region and their implications for vulnerable population groups. Reg. Environ. Change 17, 1623–1638 (2017).
  11. State of Qatar, M. of P. H., Dementia Working Group, & Hamad Medical Corporation. Qatar National Dementia Plan 2018-2022.
  12. Hamad Medical Corporation. The WHO Collaboration Centre for Healthy Ageing and Dementia at Hamad Medical Corporation marks the World Alzheimer’s Month September 2024: Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimer’s. (2024).