Leading the Global Action Against Dementia at the World Dementia Council (WDC) Summit

Institute Director, Professor Kaarin Anstey, was recently invited to speak at the World Dementia Council (WDC) Summit at the Francis Crick Institute in London. 

The Summit, held on 28 March 2022, brought together global dementia leaders, policymakers and advocates to reflect on what has been achieved in the field of dementia research and care. The event was also an opportunity to identify current and future public policy challenges that need to be overcome to accelerate progress. 

“I am truly honoured to have been an invited speaker to the Summit to discuss dementia prevention strategies” says Professor Kaarin Anstey, who is a world-leader in dementia research and the Director of the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute.

Dementia is a collection of symptoms that contribute to the loss of cognitive function – including thinking, remembering and reasoning. Globally it is estimated that approximately 57 million people are currently living with dementia. This number is estimated to increase to 152.8 million people by 2050 due to population ageing. Whilst these numbers are worrying, Professor Anstey says there are ways in which we can take early action against dementia.

“As we age, prevention is incredibly important because we don’t have a current treatment or cure for dementia. Following guidelines and strategies that promote optimal and adaptive ageing can delay the onset of cognitive decline and potentially reduce risk of dementia. We need to take a collaborative approach to tackle dementia. Summits like this allow researchers, government policy makers, industry and community groups to share expertise and insights to drive a concerted effort and take action against dementia on a global scale.”