Bosch BRI, Zayas LT, Hernández UE

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 1-12
PDF size: 175.91 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To describe the influence of the individual´s determinants and of the macroeconomic social determinants in the prevalence of people with dementia as well as the role of the health policies in the disease control. Data source: Pubmed (3 811 articles), Ebsco (450), and Google Scholar (1 330) were consulted in. In the review, 5 591 articles were obtained, 57 were selected of which 49 in English language and 8 in Spanish. Data synthesis: Individual´s health determinants such as age, sex, race or ethnic groups provide information that can influence in the development of dementia and they can be modified by environmental factors like the lifestyle and the social networks. The macroeconomic social determinants such as the costs and the national plans for dementia care were also analyzed. The world cost of the illness is unequally distributed, with prevalence of the richest countries. Cuba, Costa Rica and Mexico are the first countries of medium and low incomes that are developing national strategies for dementia care. Conclusions : Dementia can be influenced by risk factors in the middle age such as obesity, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, alcoholism and low educational level. The national plans for dementia increase the quality of the medical care, maximize the health care services and achieve greater equity. It is required that the developing countries increase mutual cooperation and draw strategies to cope with this disease.