title: [Alzheimer's disease: a public health problem: yes, but a priority?].
abstract: Alzheimer's Disease is a major Public Health problem for many reasons. First, it is a frequent disease since, in France, the prevalence was estimated at about 400.000 cases, and the annual incidence at 100.000 cases. The frequency of the disease increases, in particular due to the ageing of the population. This disease has major consequences on the life of the patient and his/her caretaker. The cost of the disease is important, estimated at about 50 milliards of French francs. Pharmaceutical treatment and other interventions are possible in particular to delay the nursing home placement. On the other hand, this disease is often ignored, under-diagnosed, underestimated and exposed to inequality in resorting to care. In summary, Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has all the criteria required for a major public health problem. In spite of this observation, AD is not yet considered as a priority for health authorities, although attitudes are changing.
authors.affiliation: Unité INSERM 330, Université de Bordeaux II, Bordeaux.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dartigues
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Helmer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duyckaerts
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasquier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Touchon
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018447:Medical Futility; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011157:Population Dynamics; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018697:Nootropic Agents