Alzheimer Europe holds 11th lunch debate at the European Parliament
Tuesday 06 December 2011
On 6 December, Alzheimer Europe held its 11th lunch debate at the European Parliament in Brussels. “Public perceptions of Alzheimer’s disease and the value of diagnosis” was hosted by Frieda Brepoels, MEP (Belgium) and Vice-chair of the European Alzheimer’s Alliance.
The debate focused on the results of the “Value of Knowing” survey, which was carried out by Alzheimer Europe in association with the Harvard School of Public Health in France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the US. A summary of the findings was presented by Jean Georges, Executive Director, Alzheimer Europe.
Ms Brepoels concluded that “this survey clearly shows significant public interest in dementia and reinforces the commitment to support early diagnosis in Europe. It also highlights the importance of managing false expectations and this is precisely why it is important that realistic awareness raising is supported by the EU.”
At the end of the debate, Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein, Chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, presented the 2011 Alzheimer Europe Yearbook. The new yearbook discusses the legal provisions relating to restriction of the freedom of movement of people with dementia.
MEPs Nessa Childers (Ireland), Vittorino Prodi (Italy) and Marina Yannakoudakis (UK) all attended the debate. Other participants included assistants to other MEPs, national policy makers, representatives from the European Commission, Alzheimer associations and pharmaceutical companies.
For more information, please see http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Publications/Alzheimer-Europe-Reports/(language)/eng-GB