Book Description

Dementia is a leading cause of disability and dependency globally. It is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, that leads to deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. ability to process thought) beyond what would be expected from normal ageing. Dementia can be overwhelming not only for the person who has it, but also for carers, families and society as a whole. Globally, a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia continues to lead to widespread stigmatization and discrimination, which may prevent people from accessing diagnosis and care. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long recognized the importance of addressing dementia and the need for increased investments in health and social care systems. The First Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia was held in March 2015, convening health ministers and delegations from 89 countries around the world to discuss comprehensive actions to address dementia. Two years later, WHO Member States unanimously approved the Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017–2025. Further, WHO’s Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) was established to monitor global progress on key targets and indicators within these action areas.