AMA welcomes Parliamentary Friends of Dementia initiative

Dr Haikerwal said this coalition of politicians from across the political spectrum sends a strong message of unity to the community in raising the level of awareness of the epidemic of dementia in Australian society.

"This is political leadership of the best possible kind," Dr Haikerwal said.

"Having MPs and Senators join this cause will be important in having dementia recognised as a National Health Priority Area (NHPA).

"The AMA Committee on the Care of Older People is working with Alzheimer's Australia to plan a coordinated strategy on addressing dementia in the community and to discuss associated issues such as the current very tight authority restrictions on effective dementia medications.

"Dementia is a major public health challenge.

"Dementia is already the third and fifth greatest contributor to Australia's total disease burden experienced by older women and men respectively.

"Dementia will predictably be an even greater problem over the next fifty years.

"By 2020, dementia will become the greatest cause of disability burden in Australia.

"Dementia costs the community $6.6 billion a year and, while some States have taken individual initiatives, there is no coordinating national strategy," Dr Haikerwal said.

The NHPA incentives focus on chronic disease of significant health burden, and recognise that strategies for reducing the burden of chronic disease should work across the whole range of care - from prevention through to treatment and management.

There are currently seven NHPAs: asthma; cancer; cardiovascular health; diabetes; injury prevention; mental health; and arthritis and musculoskeletal health.

The NHPA initiatives have resulted in concerted collaborative efforts such as those seen in diabetes, asthma and cancer awareness.

CONTACT:     John Flannery   (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761