Tackling dementia and non-communicable diseases together

Tackling dementia and non-communicable diseases together is featured at 30thconference of Alzheimer’s Disease International 

Perth, 16 April 2015:  Risk reduction in dementia and other non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) were the focus of several workshops at the 30th InternationalConference of Alzheimer’s Disease International held April 15-18, 2015 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth, Australia. 

Professor Martin Prince from King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, highlighted how dementia risk for populations can be modified through tobacco control, education and better prevention, detection and control of hypertension and diabetes. 

According to World Alzheimer Report 2014 ‘Dementia and Risk Reduction: An analysis of protective and modifiable factors’, dementia and NCDs are collectively driven by the same shared risk factors and social determinants; Very often they experience the same challenges, myths and misconceptions and demand similar approaches and solutions. 

That was the theme of an NCD dialogues session wherepolicies for prevention of dementia and other NCDs’ as well as key actions taken by individuals and businesses to minimize exposure to risk factors, where discussed. There is strong call for dementia to be integrated into both global and national public health programmesalongside other major non communicable diseases (NCDs).

As the global voice on dementia, ADI hopes that the conference will aid the crucial collaborative action that is now required from all disease areas to tackle one of the largest health epidemics of the 21st century. “An increased focus on healthier lifestyles, and implementation of effective public health campaigns may help to reduce the global risk.” says Marc Wortmann, ADI Executive Director.

Paul Zollinger-Read, Chief Medical Officer at Bupa, explains: “With half of the world's population in work, workplaces are a natural avenue to promote the behaviour change needed to tackle dementia and other NCDs, where we can start to change the conversation from 'getting ill' to 'staying well.' Prevention is key, and dementia and NCDs are driven by the same shared risk factors. As with cancer, diabetes and heart disease it should become second nature to think that 'what's good for your heart is also good for your brain."

Co-hosted with the Alzheimer’s Australia (WA), this global conference unites a dynamic community of international researchers from all over the world, dementia care professionals, medical experts, healthcare practitioners, people with dementia, family caregivers and Alzheimer organisations to address significant issues that 44.4 million people living with dementia worldwide have to face. 

Information on the programme and on the conference can be found at: http://www.adi2015.org

About Alzheimer’s Disease International

ADI is the international federation of 83 Alzheimer associations throughout the world.  Each of our members is a non-profit Alzheimer associationsupporting people with dementia and their families.  ADI was founded in 1984 and registered as a non-profit organisation in the USA.  Based in London, ADI has been in official relations with the WHO since 1996 and has consultative status with the UN since 2012.  

ADI's vision is an improved quality of life for people with dementia and their families throughout the world. ADI believes that the key to winning the fight against dementia lies in a unique combination of global solutions and local knowledge. As such, it works locally, by empowering Alzheimer associations to promote and offer care and support for people with dementia and their carers, while working globally to focus attention on dementia and campaign for policy change from governments. 

For more information, visit www.alz.co.uk