Alzheimer's Society response to health awareness campaigns announcement

Responding to figures released today by the NHS Information Centre, the Department of Health highlighted that ongoing and future campaigns would help people to live more healthily.

Health awareness campaigns are a vital step towards helping people reduce their risk of dementia. Poor diet, obesity and excessive drinking of alcohol can all increase your risk of dementia, a condition one in 3 people over 65 die with. Unless we tackle dementia now the consequences could break our health and social care system. We hope these campaigns will be followed by a large national campaign to raise public and professional awareness of dementia.

People who need more information about how much exercise they should be taking and which foods they should be eating should contact Alzheimer's Society for a copy of 'Be Headstrong' a guide on reducing your risk.

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society


Notes to editors:

• 1 in 3 people over 65 will die with dementia.
• 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia.  This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
• Alzheimer's Society campaigns for and champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• As a charity, Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.
• Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
  

For further information please call the press office on 020 7423 3595.