On 31 May, with the European Parliament elections just around the corner (they will run between 6 and 9 June 2024), as part of its European Election Campaign 2024, aiming to make dementia a priority issue for decision-makers at a European level, Alzheimer Europe urges Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who are standing for re-election, as well as all MEP candidates, to sign the Dementia Pledge 2024. World Health Organization (WHO) figures show that dementia is the third leading cause of mortality in Europe and the seventh globally, with a societal cost in Europe estimated to be EUR 392 billion in 2019. By 2025, 9.1 million people will be living with dementia in the European Union, rising to 14.3 million in 2050.
Dementia must be shown greater attention by European decision-makers! The Dementia Pledge 2024 is commitment which candidates standing for the European Parliament elections are invited to sign, pledging their support in prioritising dementia in the areas of health, research, disability policy and informal carers and pledging to join the European Alzheimer’s Alliance, upon election. All candidates standing in the European Parliament elections are encouraged to sign the pledge. There is very little time left, so we urge candidates to please sign now.
Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP (Finland) commented: “It is vital that MEPs take action to upgrade attention to neuro-degenerative diseases and to prioritise dementia at the EU level. We need to ensure that the European Parliament's positions are heard and that we are raising awareness and addressing the challenges that people with dementia face. We also need to hold the Commission accountable when it is necessary. This is an area where we can create meaningful and positive change and truly address the challenges that patients and their families face. It is our responsibility to create policies that create a better EU and better everyday life in every Member State for people with dementia, so that everyone can live their lives the way they want to. I therefore strongly encourage all candidates standing in the European Parliament elections to sign the Dementia Pledge 2024 and work with Alzheimer Europe and national Alzheimer’s associations to ensure that dementia is prioritised in the coming term.”
Jean Georges, Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe, said: “With the number of people living with dementia expected to substantially increase in the coming years, as well as the considerable societal costs associated, it is time for European decision-makers to prioritise dementia and dedicate the resources needed to address it across the domains of health, research, disability rights and support for informal carers. We invite all MEP candidates to sign the Dementia Pledge 2024!”
You can see who has signed the Dementia Pledge 2024, here: https://bit.ly/DementiaPledge2024
You can download the Pledge form, here: https://bit.ly/DementiaPledge2024form
Candidates can also pledge on social media (Twitter/X, Facebook and LinkedIn) by stating their support and using the hashtag #DementiaPledge2024