France, Sept. 21 -- France was once a pioneer of Alzheimer's care, but as the number of sufferers continues to rise and budgets are cut, the country is now struggling to tackle what is one of the world's most pressing public health crises.

Approximately 1.4 million people in France are affected by Alzheimer's disease and related disorders - amounting to 8 percent of people over 65.

Around 225,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with the disease representing 70 percent of all age-related neurocognitive disorders.

By 2050, an estimated 2.2 million people in the country are expected to be living with the disease, out of a population of 68 million.

"Cognitive disorders are now the leading cause of loss of autonomy in France," said Lore...