European Parliament adopts Resolution on a European initiative to combat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

Wednesday 19 January 2011

At its plenary sitting of 19 January 2011, the European Parliament adopted Marisa Matias’ (MEP, Portugal, GUE/NLG) motion for a resolution on a European initiative to combat Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegenerative disease.

The report calls on European governments to:

• make Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias a priority
• raise public awareness about dementia in the EU, facilitating recognition of the early symptoms of dementia, improving access to early diagnosis and treatments
• increase cooperation between countries in research, care and prevention of Alzheimer's disease
• set up specialist centres and the provision of satisfactory medical equipment and improvements to the skills of professional carers
• develop action plans aimed at improving the well-being and quality of life of people with dementia and their families.

This own-initiative report improves the European Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on a European initiative on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (COM (2009) 380). It will reinforce the work of the Joint Action between the European Commission and the Member States who will be implementing the actions of this Communication. In 2013 the Commission will produce an implementation report on this Communication. The report was adopted by 646 votes in favour, 6 against and 6 abstentions.

For further information please see the European Parliament’s website at:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P7-TA-2011-0016&language=EN