In July 2025, Diego Aguilar, Regional Director for the Americas, conducted a country visit to Mexico that combined academic engagement, civil society coordination, and high-level government and industry dialogues.
The visit began with Diego’s participation as a panellist at the 14th Latin American and Caribbean Regional Conference of the International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR), held at Anáhuac University in Mexico City. The conference, co-organised with the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI), brought together researchers and practitioners from across the region. Diego presented ADI’s advocacy model for national dementia plans, highlighting the role of civil society in shaping sustainable policy grounded in rights-based, multisectoral approaches. His intervention focused on the importance of timely diagnosis, inclusive planning, and equitable access to treatment across the life course.
Following this, Diego met with the Board of the Mexican Federation of Alzheimer Associations (FEDMA) at the offices of the Alzheimer Mexico Foundation, where he also toured their day centre for people living with dementia. The strategic meeting focused on planning coordinated advocacy for the implementation of Mexico’s National Dementia Plan. Participants included Dora Quezada (Chair), Irais Bonilla (Vice-Chair), Marco Murillo (Treasurer), José Correa (Secretary), and Rosa Farrés, former Chair of FEDMA and current ADI Board member.
Dora Quezada, Chair of FEDMA, said:
“We are proud to work alongside ADI to move from commitments to action, this is a historic opportunity for Mexico to lead with a comprehensive and human-centered response to dementia.”
The delegation then participated in a high-level meeting convened by the Vice-Ministry of Health Policy led by Dr. Vanessa Vizcarra, with the participation of Dr. Martha Zapata, Head of the Coordinating Commission of National Health Institutes, and Dr. Miguel Ángel Díaz, Director of the National Programme on Adult and Older Adult Health, alongside the Board of FEDMA. The meeting resulted in concrete commitments to strengthen dementia policy in Mexico, including its planned integration into the upcoming 2025–2030 National Health Sector Plan, expanded professional training, and national awareness strategies.
The visit concluded with an audience with the Minister of Health of Mexico, Dr. David Kershenobich, who recognized the value of the work carried out by ADI and FEDMA, and affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing the National Dementia Plan and strengthening collaboration with civil society. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Francisco José Gutiérrez, Head of the National Commission for Mental Health and Addictions (CONASAMA), and Dr. Sergio Valdés, Director of Scientific Research on Health Projects.
Diego also participated in the 2025 Innovation Week organised by the Mexican Association of Pharmaceutical Research Industries (AMIIF), where he engaged in conversations with representatives of the pharmaceutical sector and senior government officials about the role of innovation, early diagnosis, and access to treatments in national dementia responses.
With renewed momentum and cross-sectoral support, ADI reaffirms its commitment to accompany Mexico and other countries in the region in implementing dementia plans that place people living with dementia and their families at the centre.
