Dec 12, 2013 - ... is a National health priority Area www.fightdementia.org.au. Media enquiries: Krystal Craig / 0407 01
12 December 2013
Media Release G8 Summit: increasing dementia research funding to find a cure Alzheimer’s Australia welcomes the announcement overnight by international Health Ministers for greater investment in dementia research. The CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia, Glenn Rees said: “The decision to elevate dementia to the same level of priority internationally as chronic diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS and to commit to a combined global effort to increase dementia research funding to find a cure for dementia is ambitious but necessary. “Around the world dementia research is underfunded – often only 15 per cent of the research funding that is devoted to cancer. We need more research into the causes of dementia to ultimately find a cure,” Mr Rees said. This announcement comes on the back of the Coalition’s commitment to an additional $200 million over five years for dementia research within Australia. “The $200 million will be directed to research, and will be held and administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC),” Mr Rees said. “There is no question that dementia is one of the major health challenges of this century, and the only way to slow its progression is through research.” The global effort to increase dementia research funding also provides an opportunity to increase dementia awareness worldwide. “There is the potential to reduce the stigma and social isolation that people with dementia experience around the world through the implementation of dementia-friendly communities,” Mr Rees continued. “Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia worldwide is expected to soar to 135 million by 2050. “In addition to research, a key focus of Alzheimer’s Australia is to look at ways we can further support people currently living with dementia. People with dementia should be valued, supported and respected in our communities. There should be no place for social isolation and discrimination.” There are currently more than 320,000 Australians with dementia and this number is expected to increase to almost 900,000 by 2050. The global cost of dementia is estimated at US$604 billion. -endsNational Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500
An interpreter service is available (The National Dementia Helpline is an Australian Government Initiative) Dementia is a National health priority Area www.fightdementia.org.au
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