The European Group of Governmental Experts on Dementia has met online, holding its final meeting of 2021, exchanging information and knowledge on the latest developments on dementia policy and practice. The meeting was attended by representatives of 19 countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom (England).
Representatives from the European Commission (DG SANTE and DG RTD), the World Health Organization (WHO) and WHO Europe were also present in the meeting. A guest lecture was given by the Global Coalition on Ageing (GCOA), sharing details on their work on the Alzheimer’s Innovation Readiness Index, a recent publication scoring countries on their progress in relation to dementia policy across different domains (e.g. care and support, research etc.)
The group also heard from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the Global Status Report on Dementia, which showed that more work is needed if the objectives of the Global Action Plan on Dementia 2017-2025 are to be met. WHO Europe also provided updates on its work on the establishment of a European Mental Health Coalition, to help deliver its programme of work related to the European Framework for Mental Health.
National experts also presented on developments in their counties across a range of issues including the implementation of national dementia strategies, development of resource websites, new models of care and support, as well as guidance on oral health for people with dementia. The next meeting of the group is expected to take place on 14-15 June 2022.