Leading researchers and industry experts discuss how to accelerate the development of new treatments and technologies to improve the lives of people with dementia and their families and caregivers
September 11, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Canada's Minister of Health, and Mr. Philippe Zeller, Ambassador of France to Canada, today welcomed leading dementia researchers and industry experts from G7 countries to Ottawa for the Canada-France Global Dementia Legacy Event. Minister Ambrose and Ambassador Zeller were joined by Dr. Dennis Gillings, the World Dementia Envoy, Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Pr. Yves Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and Chairman of the French National Alliance for Life Sciences and Healthcare (Aviesan).
The Canada-France Global Dementia Legacy Event is the second in a series of four such events stemming from the Summit on Dementia held in London, UK, in December 2013. Over the next two days, delegates will hear from global dementia experts, as well as people living with dementia and family members. They will also begin the development of an action framework to address the challenges and barriers for collaboration between academia and industry. The framework will aim to accelerate the transformation of dementia research into real life products or services to prevent, delay the onset, and help people living with dementia, their families, as well as those who care for them.
In her address to delegates, Minister Ambrose recognized the significant impact dementia has on individuals, families, and caregivers and made a number of announcements highlighting the Government of Canada's coordinated approach to dementia.
The Minister announced:
- The release of Mapping Connections: An Understanding of Neurological Conditions in Canada, which presents the findings from the most comprehensive study of neurological conditions ever to be conducted in Canada. The National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions, is a four-year, $15 million undertaking, led by the Public Health Agency of Canada in partnership with Neurological Health Charities Canada, a collaborative of 24 charities representing individuals and families impacted by neurological conditions across the country. The study examined 14 neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
- The release of the National Dementia Research and Prevention Plan, a publication outlining the Government of Canada's investments, partnerships and key initiatives related to dementia research and prevention to improve the standards of care and reduce the burden on families dealing with dementia.
- The Government of Canada's intention to work with the Alzheimer Society of Canada to bring "Dementia Friends" to Canada in the coming year. Dementia Friends is a unique program originally launched in Japan as "Dementia Supporters" and more recently as "Dementia Friends" in the UK. In both countries, the program has been very successful in making daily life better for thousands of people with dementia. Dementia Friends will help Canadians become better informed about how they can support people living with dementia in their communities. Joining the Minister in support of this announcement was Ms. Mimi Lowi-Young, Chief Executive Officer of ASC.
Following the Minister's announcement Faye Forbes spoke as a person living with dementia followed by Matthew Dineen who is caring for his wife.
Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of the Health
613-957-0200
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
To request an interview with the World Dementia Envoy, or another member of the World Dementia Council
Lucy Thomas
0044-777-963-9460
lucy.thomas@dh.gsi.gov.uk
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system for Canadians. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,200 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
