This month, ADI is pleased to see so much activity throughout the European region within the dementia community. From Sweden to Greece, from ADI member associations, to the WHO Regional Office for Europe, this blog delves into all of the important and impactful work happening around the European region in February.
Sweden Updates National Dementia Plan
In late January 2025, the Swedish government announced that they would be updating Sweden’s national dementia strategy, which was originally launched in 2018. The new strategy, titled Every Day Counts: National Dementia Strategy 2025-2028, covers health and medical care, dental care, and social services and includes strategic priorities such as increasing equity in diagnosis and cooperation between regional and local authorities on care.
ADI congratulates our member, Demensförbundet for their work in the development of this new strategy. National Dementia Plans allow the care and support needs of those living with dementia, their families, and carers to be placed at the forefront of public health policy.
To read more about Sweden’s update to their national dementia strategy
ADI Head of Membership attends Senate session in Belgium
On 3 February 2025, ADI Head of Membership, Laura Aubert, visited Belgium for a ‘country visit,’ which included attending a session at the Belgian Senate in support of ADI member, Ligue Nationale Alzheimer Liga (LINAL), as discussions surrounded a proposed resolution for a Belgian National Dementia Plan. During her trip, she also visited LINAL’s HQ and Maison Vésale, a specialised care facility in Brussels providing support and services for people living with dementia, known for its person-centred approach.
During the session, Olivier Constant, Staff Member for Advocacy at Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen, and Eric Frisette, who shared his personal experience as a carer for his partner with early onset dementia, highlighted the pressing challenges faced by those living with dementia. Also in attendance was Baroness Sabine Henry, President of LINAL, who had previously provided testimony to the Senate on 6 January, and Dogan Vercauteren, Ligue Alzheimer ASBL representative.
By 2050, the IHME predicts that the number of people living with dementia in Belgium will rise to over 330,000. Dementia is already the 7th leading cause of death globally, and the leading cause of death in an increasing number of countries.
National Dementia Plans are the best tools governments have to address the urgent public health crisis that dementia poses, especially to a global ageing population, and also to support those living with the condition, along with their families and carers. When well-managed, National Dementia Plans can be cost effective.
About her trip, Laura said:
It was a pleasure to visit Brussels and meet with Sabine, Olivier and Dogan for a day. I truly appreciate their warm welcome – there’s nothing better than being on the ground to understand a member association, its strengths, challenges, and how ADI can provide better support. It was also an honour to be present for the Senate hearing, and I am more determined than ever to follow up on all this great work.
To view the full Belgian Senate session
ADI CEO addresses Panhellenic Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease
On 13 February 2025, ADI CEO Paola Barbarino gave a virtual address to open the 14th Panhellenic Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, an event organised by ADI’s member in Greece, the Panhellenic Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, in collaboration with the Panhellenic Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Alzheimer Hellas.
In her address, Paola emphasised the global challenges posed by dementia and the importance of research, innovation, prevention, and care. She highlighted some of the significant breakthroughs in dementia treatment and diagnostics in 2024, while also stressing the need for continued efforts to reduce global dementia stigma, improved risk reduction measures, and creating inclusive and dementia-friendly environments for those living with the condition.
You can learn more about ADI’s Greek member association here:
Panhellenic Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
WHO Second European Program of Work (EPW2)
In January, the WHO began their consultative process as they work towards the creation of the Second European Program of Work (EPW2). This series of public hearings is meant to inform the direction of the WHO Regional office for Europe’s priorities for the duration of the Second Program of Work, 2026-2030.
This public hearing consultation process will conclude in early March 2025. Sessions range in topics from tackling noncommunicable diseases to the effects of climate change on health. ADI has been attending these public consultations in an effort to bring dementia support and care to the forefront of the WHO European Regional Office’s priorities, especially given the burden that dementia poses to health systems globally as we continue to see forecast dementia cases reaching over 150 million people living with the condition globally by 2050 (IHME, 2022).
Further updates will be provided as the consultation process progresses.