PUBLIC POLICIES AND ALZHEIMER RESEARCH

Transcription

1 PUBLIC POLICIES AND ALZHEIMER RESEARCH 25TH ALHEIMER EUROPE CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2015

2 INTRODUCTION France Alzheimer and related diseases has, since its creation, put research at the center of its priorities its contribution is 1 million annually to fund research projects. Supporting research is also up to public authorities: with 3 million French directly affected (people with dementia and their care-givers), research is a public health issue. The interaction between various disciplines is what enable a consistent and efficient progress of care and support for people with dementia: it needs a multidisciplinary and open approach France Alzheimer organized, for its 30 years, a conference to assess the progress made and to identify challenges to come

3 I- ALZHEIMER S DISEASE RESEARCH: A PUBLIC NECESSITY

4 KEY FIGURE: French people are affected by Alzheimer s disease new cases are diagnosed every year 9 billion euros spent per year in France 604 billion dollars spent per year in the World 45% of that cost is supported by families 44% increase in the number of cases by 2030 in Europe 24th Alzheimer Europe Conference

5 PUBLIC POLICIES SINCE 2000 Financial stakes are clear. French public authorities have taken action since the early 2000 years, for specific care policies and research on Alzheimer s and related diseases: First Alzheimer s Plan in 2001: first comprehensive response to the increased costs associated with Alzheimer s. New public health Plan between 2004 and 2007: Alzheimer s disease was recognized as a major national cause Third Alzheimer s Plan since 2008 to 2012: a new policy particularly ambitious, in particular in terms of research

6 II- OUTLOOK FOR ALZHEIMER S RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

7 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF FRENCH RESEARCH: Thanks to these national Plans, research on Alzheimer s and related disease has progressed. A critical analysis shows a number of weaknesses in the French research field: Lack ok cooperation between involved parties Bad anticipation of progress Insufficient oversight of public policies One of the areas for improvement is coordination between the various research discipline. Indeed, Alzheimer s is a complex illness and raises questions of all sorts (medical, social, human, economic ).

8 NEURODEGENERATIVE PLAN : The Neurodegenerative Plan (which is currently being implemented) seems to tackle these issues The research section attempts to decompartmentalize the approach so as to energize and better coordinate research on the various neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer s disease, Parkinson s, multiple-sclerosis ) in order to prevent their occurrence and slow down their development. As for the management aspect, the plan attempts to: o Get various funders involved o Involve all sides of the research community, the patients and the field professionals, o Strengthen international cooperation, o Incorporate international research programs, o Develop public private partnerships

9 III- ALZHEIMER RESEARCH: THE NEED FOR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE TO GET INVOLVED

10 RESEARCH: SOCIETY AS WHOLE MUST ACT: Alzheimer research is not restricted to public sphere. The society as whole can and must act: researchers, volunteers, professionals, caregivers, those affected by dementia, corporations and economic players, the political community, associations... Companies and the general public can generously support the work of scientists, People with dementia and their care-givers can participate in epidemiological tests and studies, Citizens can agree to donate their brain in order to advance neurological research, Associations can place research as a top priority

11 FRANCE ALZHEIMER AND ALZHEIMER RESEARCH: France Alzheimer and related disease participate in scientific progress by funding, through grants, work lead by research teams specialized in medical science and human and social sciences. 352 research projects supported since 1988, for a total of 12 million euros France Alzheimer and related disease was the instigator of the creation of the GIE Neuro-CEB, a specimen bank for research on nervous system diseases donors already consented to a post mortem donation and 460 samplings contributed to 75 research projects

12 CONCLUSION The alarming numbers mentioned in the first part of this speech enable us to grasp the importance of the hope which comes from scientific research on Alzheimer s and related diseases Despite the progress made these past years, enabled in part by strong-willed policies, the expectations are still considerable. To live up to them, we must all get involved. The breakthroughs of tomorrow depend on how well we mobilize today. Only with this common mobilization can we achieve the goal which we all share: to provide better care for those affected by dementia and their families, and to one day cure the disease.

13 THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION MARIE-ODILE DESANA UNION FRANCE ALZHEIMER ET MALADIES APPARENTEES