2nd "Dementia in Europe Yearbook" launched

Representatives of different European institutions have given "their clearest signal to date that the fight against Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia would feature prominently in the plans of the European institutions in 2008," according to Alzheimer Europe at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, which was hosted by the French Member of the European Parliament Francoise Grossetete, who is also the chairperson of the European Alzheimer's Alliance.

The event was arranged to coincide with the launch of Alzheimer Europe's second "Dementia in Europe Yearbook" dedicated to a presentation of the social support provided by governments to people with AD in different European countries. Vladimir Spidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, congratulated Alzheimer Europe on emphasizing the social impact of the disease and other forms of dementia on people diagnosed, as well as on their families and carers.

Jean Georges, executive director of Alzheimer Europe, said: "at this meeting, we heard the clearest signal yet that our campaign to make dementia a European public health priority is bearing fruit.