On Thursday 11 September, the European Commission reiterated to MEPs its commitment to stepping up its efforts to tackle the challenges posed by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in the EU.
Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for the Budget, pointed out that at EU level, the Healthier Together initiative provides a framework for combating non-communicable diseases, by helping Member States to reduce the impact of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
To support this action, the Joint Research Centre's (JRC) Knowledge Gateway provides reliable data on prevalence, risk factors and the policies and recommendations already implemented.
The Commission regularly exchanges views with the Member States through the expert group on public health, and is preparing a partnership on brain health research for 2026, the Commissioner continued. At the same time, European funding is supporting research and cooperation, for example the JADE Health joint action, launched in January 2025, with funding of €4.5 million and involving 15 Member States.
The Care for Elders project aims to develop innovative practices to combat dementia.
Tomislav Sokol (EPP, Croatian) called for EU financial support for patients and their carers. Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourgian) stressed that Europe could not look the other way, and called for these diseases to be made a public health priority. Maria Guzenina (S&D, Finnish), whose mother has Alzheimer's disease, stressed the need for better support for carers. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)