BackgroundGiven the increasing aging global population and advancements in dementia action plans, the latest disparities in the dementia burden may evolve. This study aimed to analyze and compare temporal trends at regional, national, and sociodemographic levels to provide evidence for public health planning and resource prioritization.MethodsThe age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate (ASDR) were derived from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to quantify their temporal trends. Correlations between EAPC and the human resources for health (HRH) were assessed using Pearson correlation analysis.ResultsAlthough the ASPR and ASIR remained stable or decreased globally, they both greatly increased in East Asia (ASPR: EAPC = 0.43; 95% CI 0.35, 0.51; ASIR: EAPC = 0.40; 95% CI 0.33, 0.47). For early-onset dementia, the ASPR (range of EAPC = 0.03-0.17) and ASIR (range of EAPC = 0.05-0.19) in the 45 to 59 years age group increased in North Africa and Middle East, particularly among females (ASPR: range of EAPC = 0.08-0.21; ASIR: range of EAPC = 0.09-0.2). Although the ASMR and ASDR both decreased globally and in high socio-demographic index region, they both increased greatly in South Asia (ASMR: EAPC = 0.7; 95% CI 0.66, 0.75; ASDR: EAPC = 0.40; 95% CI 0.37, 0.43). For early-onset dementia, the ASMR (range of EAPC = 0.43-0.78) and ASDR (range of EAPC = 0.19-0.33) in the 40 to 59 years age group had increased in Central Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among females (ASMR: range of EAPC = 0.5-0.86; ASDR: range of EAPC = 0.19-0.4). Negative correlations were observed between the EAPC in ASPR, ASIR, ASMR and ASDR with various types of HRH at the national level.ConclusionsAlthough there has been progresses in controlling the global trends of dementia incidence, prevalence, and mortality, significant regional and national inequalities remain evident. More importantly, the early-onset dementia burden is increasing significantly among females in the African region, underscoring the critical need for healthcare systems that address dementia across the early midlife span.
基金：
Young Beijing Scholars Programs (No. 087) ；the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 72122001）
第一作者机构：[1]Peking Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, Peoples R China
通讯作者：
通讯机构：[1]Peking Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, 38 Xueyuan Rd, Beijing 100191, Peoples R China[7]Peking Univ, Inst Global Hlth & Dev, 5 Yiheyuan Rd, Beijing 100871, Peoples R China
推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714)：
Du Min,Gram Lu,Yang Fude,et al.Health inequalities in disease burden of dementia and early-onset dementia: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study[J].GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH AND POLICY.2025,10(1):doi:10.1186/s41256-025-00417-x.
APA：
Du, Min,Gram, Lu,Yang, Fude,Mi, Donghua,Chen, Hongguang...&Liu, Jue.(2025).Health inequalities in disease burden of dementia and early-onset dementia: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study.GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH AND POLICY,10,(1)
MLA：
Du, Min,et al."Health inequalities in disease burden of dementia and early-onset dementia: findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study".GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH AND POLICY 10..1(2025)
