Alzheimer' disease - will it become a health priority for Europe?

Every year 1.4 million Europeans develop some type of dementia. It is estimated that 35.6 million people worldwide suffered from dementia in all its forms in 2010. A report debated by European Members of Parliament on Tuesday afternoon called for more sharing of scientific knowledge, raising public awareness to recognize early symptoms and setting up specialist centers.

The number of sufferers of some form of dementia could nearly double every 20 years, possibly reaching 65.7 million in 2030.

The report by Portuguese MEP Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL) calls on European governments to make combating and treating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias a priority. The report has already been backed by the Parliament's cross party Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.