ARUK Defeating Dementia report: Alzheimer's Society comment

Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) has challenged the government to commit to a national dementia research strategy. The charity's new report, Defeating Dementia, warns that the UK's world-renowned dementia knowledge base could be lost unless scientists have better opportunities to enter and remain in the field.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'The under-investment in research into dementia has been well documented and ARUK is right to champion this issue. Dementia currently costs the UK £20 billion each year, and this figure will rise to £27 billion by 2018. The UK government invests eight times less on dementia research than cancer research.'

'Alzheimer's Society spends £6million on research each year, but charities should not have to plug the gap for government investment. Even in tough times, the government has to spend more if we are ever to offer the thousands of people living with dementia hope of better treatments or a future cure.'

Louise Lakey
Policy Manager
Alzheimer's Society

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Notes to editors:

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them 
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 
• Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
  
• Alzheimer's Society and Tesco have mapped the number of people with dementia in each part of the UK and the percentage who receive a diagnosis. To view the 'Mapping the Dementia Gap' study visit alzheimers-tesco.org.uk