England’s health profile shows need for more investment in dementia research

Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, has called for more investment in dementia research, following a report by Public Health England revealing the overall picture of the nation’s health.

A key finding from the report, Health Profile for England, is that life expectancy has increased more than years spent in good health. Therefore, although people are living longer, the number of years lived in poor health has also increased, due to conditions like dementia. It also highlights that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease continue to be the biggest cause of death for women and the second most common for men.

Dr Matthew Norton, Director of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“The Health Profile for England has emphasised the desperate need we have to find life-changing treatments for dementia. We cannot hide away from the impact this heartbreaking condition is having on our nation and as our population continues to age, it will destroy more people’s lives. Along with the direct impact dementia has on people’s health, it also makes managing other conditions people may have much harder.

“To achieve the same successes as we have with other health conditions like heart disease and cancer, we need dementia research to remain a national priority. We have been able to make promising steps forward thanks to a renewed focus, but we are not there yet. Investing in research is the only way we can defeat dementia – our greatest medical challenge – so the momentum we have built in recent years must continue. At Alzheimer’s Research UK, we have committed to finding a life-changing treatment by 2025, but we cannot do this alone and it will be crucial for government to continue its focus on dementia research.”