Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive Officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, has recently been elected Vice Chair of the World Dementia Council. Harry Jones, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Association, has been elected Chair.

The pair will take on their roles in the Spring of 2018, as they lead the 24 person expert council members in the World Dementia Council’s mission to overcome barriers to research and innovation; to increase global investment in dementia; to improve treatment and care for people with dementia; and to meet the G8 Dementia Summit’s commitment to find a cure or disease-modifying medicine by 2025.

Talking to the press, Jeremy said “I am delighted and honoured to be elected by members as the Vice Chair of the World Dementia Council for 2018. This marks the beginning of an exciting period, as the Council moves into its next phase of leading step changes in how the global community addresses dementia research, awareness and care. The Council plays a unique role in bringing together global leaders from industry, academia, governmental and civil society, and I look forward to working with Chair Harry Johns and the members to achieve better outcomes for people with dementia wherever they live.”

Some Facts About Dementia

• Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 850,000 people in the UK currently have a form of dementia. By 2021, one million people will be living with the condition. This is predicted to increase to two million by 2051.
• Dementia deaths are rising year on year and 225,000 people will develop dementia this year – that’s one new person diagnosed with dementia every three minutes.
• Dementia is estimated to cost the UK economy over £26 billion per year. This is the equivalent of more than £30,000 per person with dementia.

Source: The Alzheimer’s Society – www.alzheimers.org.uk