Europa
Proposals to pool resources in the fight against dementia were accepted by the European Union last month.
Ten counties, including the United Kingdom, have signed up for the union’s first Joint Programming of Research Activities plan under which they will engage in the development of a common Strategic Research Agenda on Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions. With the total direct and informal care costs of these conditions across the EU estimated to be €130bn per year, the Commission proposes four main areas of action: acting early to diagnose and reduce risk; improving research coordination between EU members; sharing best practice; and providing a forum to debate the rights, autonomy and dignity of patients.