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Instances of dementia exploded in the last five years, bringing the current number of people affected worldwide to more than 46 million, a new report shows.

The report, titled “World Alzheimer Report 2015,” says nearly 60 percent of those with dementia live in underdeveloped countries. By 2050, half of those with the disease will live in Asia. Researchers from Alzheimer Disease International, a global coalition of Alzheimer-focused organizations, expect the numbers to rise with the identification of more cases and greying of the population.

Dementia, defined as a range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, strikes more than 3 million people over the age of 65 in the United States annually. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for at least 60 percent of the cases, making it the sixth leading cause of death domestically. The progressively degenerative disease, though currently incurable, can be managed with treatments and changes to one’s physical environment.

In a press release, Glenn Rees, Alzheimer Disease International chairperson, called on governments around the world to connect people with […]