World Health Organization and Alzheimer’s Disease International say dementia must be a global health priority

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA ASKS: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CANADA?

TORONTO, April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Landmark data released today by the
World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International
(ADI) in their first-ever report on the global impact of dementia: Dementia: A Public Health Priority show that around the world a new case of dementia occurs every four seconds. That
is the equivalent of 7.7 million new cases each year. In the words of
global health expert Dr. Peter Piot, dementia is a ‘ticking time bomb.’

Yet, of the WHO member countries, only eight have dementia plans in
place: Australia, Denmark, France, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands,
Norway and the United Kingdom, with the United States currently
developing a plan. Canada, however, has yet to get started on the
development of a plan.

“The WHO report serves as a wake-up call for the Canadian Government to
show leadership in planning for the impact of dementia on our
health-care system and on the people living with this devastating
disease,” says Naguib Gouda, CEO at the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

With input from four working groups of experts and nearly two dozen
international contributors, today’s report is designed to compel world
governments to replicate some of the solutions and approaches already
adopted by countries to tackle the skyrocketing numbers of dementia
affecting 35.6 million people worldwide.

“WHO recognizes the size and complexity of the dementia challenge and
urges countries to view dementia as a critical public health priority,”
says Dr. Shekhar Saxena, one of the report’s project leaders and
Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO.

In 2010 the Alzheimer Society of Canada sounded the alarm with its own
seminal report, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society. It highlighted the rapidly increasing prevalence of dementia that will
affect 1.1 million Canadians in less than 25 years, and the rising
economic costs that are expected to increase tenfold to $153 billion a
year.

Rising Tide also recommended five evidence-based solutions to reduce the burden of
dementia and improve the well-being of those affected. These include
prioritizing research, raising awareness about prevention, promoting
early diagnosis and management, strengthening workforce training and
capacity and implementing responsive care and health service delivery,
especially for caregivers. But so far, little action has been taken by
the Federal Government.

“We can no longer afford to be idle,” adds Gouda. “We’re asking the
Government to put Canada on the world map and make dementia a health
priority. We can improve the outcomes for Canadians living with this
debilitating disease if we build on the strengths of our current
resources and implement a truly cross-government, cross-sector
approach.”

Dementia is a term that refers to a group of brain disorders whose
symptoms include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in
mood and behaviour. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with
a person’s ability to function at work, in relationships or in everyday
activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, accounting for
about two thirds of all dementias in Canada. It is a relentless and
unforgiving condition that can last up to 20 years. The causes and cure
are unknown.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging even though age remains the
predominant risk factor. After 65, the risk for dementia doubles every
five years. According to Statistics Canada, the number of seniors in
Canada will jump to 9.8 million by 2036.

To join our campaign for a national dementia plan, or to download a copy
of the WHO or Rising Tide report, visit www.alzheimer.ca/WHOreport

About the Alzheimer Society

The Alzheimer Society is the leading nationwide health charity for people living with
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Active in more than 150
communities across Canada, the Society offers Help for Today through our programs and services for people living with dementia and Hope for Tomorrow…(®)( )by funding research to find the cause and the cure. It is also a
co-founding and leading member of ADI.

About the World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United
Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global
health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and
standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing
technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health
trends.  For more information, visit http://www.who.int/about/en/.

About Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)

ADI is the international federation of 78 Alzheimer associations that
support people with dementia and their families in their respective
countries. Founded in 1984, ADI serves as a network for Alzheimer
associations around the world to share and exchange information,
resources and skills. Its vision is a better quality of life for people
with dementia and their families. ADI is based in London and is
registered as a non-profit organization in the state of Illinois. For
more information, visit www.alz.co.uk.

SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada