Calls on the World Dementia Council to address women’s issues, including sex-based research and caregiver burden
London, England (February 25, 2016) – Leaders from across the globe met in London on Tuesday and called on the World Dementia Council to put women as a priority item on their agenda. Convened by the Global Alliance on Women’s Brain Health, the meeting included leaders in Alzheimer’s and dementia from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and India. The action comes as the World Dementia Council convenes a two-day meeting in London beginning Wednesday.
Women are twice as likely as men to have Alzheimer’s and dementia and twice as likely to care for a loved one with the disease. Yet, until now, there has been virtually no concerted drive to fund research on women’s brain health around the world and no global cooperation among women leaders.
“It is critical that the World Dementia Council consider the impact that has Alzheimer’s has on women as a priority agenda item in their fight against this deadly disease,” said Jill Lesser, President of WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s, a network of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “Today, there is virtually no concerted drive to fund research on women’s brain health around the world and no global cooperation among women leaders. Yet, the data reveals that women’s brains are differently impacted by Alzheimer’s and other problems associated with cognitive function. Furthermore, the economic impact on women and their families is overwhelming and disproportionate. Research shows that women bear six times the cost that men do as a result of Alzheimer’s due to the informal care they give to family members with Alzheimer's.”
"Women are more vulnerable to Alzheimer's, and not just because we live longer. What is not clear, though, is why," said Lynn Posluns, President, Women's Brain Health Initiative. "If scientists can figure out the mechanism that causes more Alzheimer's disease in women, they might be able to develop treatments that halt the process. This is the type of research the Global Alliance will fund, for a healthier outcome for both men and women."
Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK agrees, "Alzheimer's research UK is delighted to be part of the global initiative; we know that dementia disproportionately impacts the lives of women around the world but we also know women are leading the fight back against this disease. By providing leadership, advocating for change and through pioneering research, we can change things."
Today’s meeting of the Global Alliance was held in conjunction with the Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease, chaired by George Vradenburg.
The Global Alliance on Women’s Brain Health was created in 2015 by WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s USA, The Women’s Brain Health Initiative Canada, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and 21st Century BrainTrust® to raise awareness of women’s brain health challenges and significantly expand funding for sex-based brain health research, that benefits both men and women. It will define a scientific agenda, drive new funding for research, and convene scientific leaders to assure the most rapid and effective scientific strategies in women’s brain health. It will also raise awareness at the public and private level on the urgent health, economic and social tsunami that will result without gender-sensitive focus and investment.
Worldwide, 46.8 million people have Alzheimer’s or a related dementia with numbers set to increase to 74.7 million by 2030 and 131.5 million by 2050. The cost of caring for Alzheimer’s patients in the U.S. is estimated to be $226 billion in 2015. The global cost of Alzheimer’s and dementia is estimated to be $605 billion, which is the equivalent to 1% of the entire world’s gross domestic product.
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WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s , a network of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, unites women across the globe to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Our growing network of women is impatient with the slow progress being made in the Alzheimer’s fight. Driven by our passion we are committed to disrupting current “business as usual” approaches to funding, research, and advocacy in order to bring Alzheimer’s out of the shadows and into the spotlight. We will aim to bring the energy and commitment from the Global Alliance to our other priority areas in driving public funding for research in gender sensitivity, clinical trial recruitment, lessening the burden of care and promoting dementia friendly communities. Because women won’t wait. www.womenagainstalzheimers.org, Twitter @WomenAgstAlz
Contact: Ranit Schmelzer
202.538.1065
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