SUMMARY
OF REPORT FROM THE CENTRE FOR THE ECONOMICS OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE INSTITUTE OF
PSYCHIATRY, KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
COMMISSIONED
BY THE ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH TRUST
“The prevalence of AD and the associated costs are set to rise
substantially over the next 20 years. We
have estimated that assuming care patterns continue as at the present time, the
cost of AD in 2021 will rise to between £10 and £20 billion in 1998/99 prices.
These costs will fall mainly to the NHS, social services and families of
sufferers.”(Centre for the Economics of Mental Health – The Institute of
Psychiatry)
“Medical interventions [in Alzheimer’s disease] are becoming more
promising, and with them comes the possibility that the economic burden of the
disease may be lessened and, more important, clinical benefits realised.
By improving cognitive function..it is possible to reduce caregiver time,
delay nursing home placement and improve quality of life” (Meek et al 1998)
| Disease | Prevalence | Annual Cost of Care (£ billions) |
| Alzheimer's | 527,000 | 11 |
| Stroke | 124,000 | 3.2 |
| Heart disease | 2,053,000 | 4.05 |
| Cancer | 655,000 | 1.6 |
| Disease | Cost of care per year (£ Billions) | NHS/MRC annual research spending (£ Millions) | Total annual spending on research including charities (£ Millions) |
| Alzheimer's | 11 | 3.7 | 5.5 |
| Stroke | 3.2 | 5.5 | 9.1 |
| Heart disease | 4.05 | 15.5 | 58.4 |
| Cancer | 1.6 | 33.1 | 188.5 |
The total amount spent on research, by both the government and charities, into Alzheimer’s disease is only 57% of the amount spent on Stroke, 9.6% of the amount spent on heart disease and 3% of the amount spent on cancer research.
Spending on research per person per year in the UK
| Disease | Prevalence | £ Spent per sufferer per year |
| Alzheimer's | 527,000 | 11 |
| Stroke | 124,000 | 79 |
| Heart disease | 2,053,000 | 28 |
| Cancer | 655,000 | 289 |
The Alzheimer’s Research Trust has committed over £3.5 million to
three strategies for funding research into Alzheimer’s disease: