UK survey finds rise in AD priority for public

A survey commissioned on behalf of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has found that the UK public wants Alzheimer's disease to be one of the top three research priorities, up from sixth place in a similar poll published last year by the drug industry group. The latest research into national and regional health priorities was conducted by ICM Research on behalf of Opinion Leader Research for the ABPI. It involved questioning more than 2,000 respondents across the UK in November 2007.

The top two diseases of most concern to people throughout the UK were cancer - listed by 72% of respondents as a national priority - and cardiovascular disease, cited by 33%. AD came some way behind in third place, with 11% of the public demanding greater National Health Service spending and 12% more research into the condition. However, this was a substantial increase in public awareness, given that the previous survey of this kind had placed AD as less of a priority than HIV/AIDS and diabetes.