Economist GMAT Reading Comprehension Challenge #32
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Economist Article
Table of Contents
Economist Article: The rising prevalence of dementia is a global emergency
Link: https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/08/29/the-rising-prevalence-of-dementia-is-a-global-emergency
Paragraph Summaries
Of all the troubles facing the world…
Dementia today, and especially looking ahead, constitutes a global emergency that societies are not equipped to handle humanely and sustainably.
“Dementia” is an umbrella term…
This paragraph defines dementia as the collective term for a group of related diseases and cites figures to illustrate its prevalence today as well as its anticipated future prevalence in a world whose population is aging and rising in size.
The problems these numbers will bring…
The pandemic has underscored what already has been (and what will continue to be) a major difficulty for looking after people with dementia — insufficiency of resources and personnel for care.
Not all the news is bad…
Partial solutions such as decreases of risk-creating behavior and drug trials may help with dementia numbers in the foreseeable future, but they are only partial solutions and will only benefit some patients.
That is why governments should act now…
Governments should take action to reduce the future economic harm of dementia — namely, funding for research.
Governments also need to think…
Another relevant financial question is how governments can and should finance care via the taxpayer.
An even more fundamental question…
Sufficient numbers of care workers for dementia patients will be hard to maintain, as positions are poorly paid and require a lot of empathy and patience.
Lastly, evidence suggests…
Though many cases of dementia can be delayed, the reality of the numbers is unavoidable. Given the other noted difficulties requiring address, it’s important that beginning to look for solutions to the societal difficulties surrounding dementia happen sooner rather than later.
Primary Purpose
To prescribe a course of action for handling a challenging problem.
Main Idea
Because dementia is poised to constitute a major public health crisis, active government responses are needed now to minimize the future economic and societal fallout.
Happy Studies
Hope you found this Economist article interesting and helpful. Good luck on your GMAT RC!