Overview

• A meta-analysis of 13 studies finds the average interval from first symptoms to formal dementia diagnosis is 3.5 years worldwide and 4.1 years for early-onset cases.
• Care England reports that referral-to-diagnosis waits in England have climbed from 13 weeks in 2019 to an average of 17.7 weeks, with some patients waiting up to two years.
• Factors cited for delays include misattribution of cognitive changes to normal aging, limited specialist access and lengthy referral pathways.
• Only 50 to 65 percent of dementia cases are diagnosed in high-income countries, leaving many patients without timely care or intervention.
• Experts and advocacy groups are urging the creation of unified diagnostic pathways, enhanced clinician training and reliable long-term funding to accelerate detection.