The World Health Organization Extends Global Action Plan on Dementia to 2031

194 Member States of World Health Organisation have now formally adopted an extension to the Global Action Plan on dementia until 2031.

As the international federation of Alzheimer and dementia associations around the world; in official relations with the WHO, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has welcomed the news – but warns that the world is heading towards a global health crisis and must use this time wisely.

“The Global Action Plan remains the best tool available to governments to support those living with dementia, their carers, healthcare systems, and the wider society. Mortality data published earlier this year suggests that dementia will be the 3rd leading cause of death globally by 2040. Forecast prevalence figures highlight an increase to 78 million people living with dementia by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. It is our hope that with this extension, each Member-State will fulfil their 2017 commitment, including developing and implementing a National Dementia Plan.” says Paola Barbarino, ADI CEO.

ADI says that just 1 in 5 or 45 (23%) of the World Health Organization’s 194 Member States have a national dementia plan in place, despite unanimously pledging to do so by 2025. They urge governments and organisations to fund concrete action immediately.

According to survey data from the World Alzheimer Report 2024, more than 90% of carers and respondents from the general public said they would be encouraged to get a diagnosis if a disease-modifying treatment for dementia was available. New disease-modifying therapies and blood-based biomarker diagnostic tools have received regulatory approval in several countries including the recent FDA approval for the first ever blood test for Alzheimer’s Disease. Despite this progress, ADI says governments globally are not prepared.

“Even with a low target of diagnosing half of people currently living with dementia, the fact is Member States have not reached this target. This means more than half of people living with dementia won’t have access to new treatments, new diagnostics, and to vital care when they become available. National Dementia Plans are crucial to ensure this changes,” Barbarino says.

Barbarino added: “Dementia is everyone’s business. It remains an undeniable public health crisis that must be addressed head on by governments and civil society, working hand in hand to secure better prospects for people living with dementia, today and tomorrow.”