Spain

Introduction

In October 2019, Spain announced it had adopted a National Plan on Alzheimer's and other dementias.

The strategy follows the conclusion of the Neurodegenerative Diseases Strategy which ran between 2016-2019, which also included specific measures aimed at Alzheimer's disease. 

Outline of strategy

The plan follows the guidelines of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025, as well as recognising a number of initiatives and programmes of work undertaken at a European level. The plan notes that six key "factors" which provide an imperative for action. These are:

  1. The increased prevalence of dementias
  2. Dementia as a leading cause of disability and dependence
  3. The impact of dementia both on people with dementia and their carers
  4. Dementia as a challenge to the sustainability of social protection systems
  5. Shortcomings in health and social care systems in the prevention, treatment and care of dementia
  6. The lack of understanding and awareness of dementia.

Responding to these factors, the plan establishes four axes of action, under which sit a number of specific and dedicated actions:

  • Research on the determinants of the disease.
  • Development of health promotion policies, as well as progress in the early diagnosis and the selection of the most appropriate treatments.
  • Improvement in services, supports and benefits.
  • Raising awareness and improving societal attitudes in relation to dementia.

Further information

Further information on the strategy and measures can be found at: https://www.mscbs.gob.es/sanidad/portada/home.htm

The full National Plan (in Spanish) can be downloaded below, as can the previous Neurodegenrative Diseases Plan (in Spanish).