Alzheimer’s Association Welcomes President Nicolas Sarkozy to International Conference

PARIS, July 20, 2011 -

Today French President Nicolas Sarkozy will address the
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2011 (AAIC 2011),
the premier annual forum presenting the latest research from the
world’s leading scientists in the Alzheimer’s field.  The
impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia represent an international
crisis. Current estimates suggest 36 million people worldwide are
living with dementia, and this number will double by 2030 and more
than triple by 2050. The costs of caring for people with dementia
are likely to rise even faster than the prevalence and most
governments are woefully unprepared to address the social and
economic upheaval these conditions will cause. However, France,
under the leadership of President Sarkozy, is one country that has
developed and is implementing a comprehensive strategy to address
the public health threat of Alzheimer’s in France.

Launched in 2008, the French Alzheimer’s Plan is designed to
fight the Alzheimer’s crisis and is centered on three pillars: to
improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their
families; to mobilize French society around the fight against
Alzheimer’s; and launch an effort to advance research. In total,
the plan lists 11 objectives and identifies more than 40
comprehensive measures to successfully implement the plan.

“As the United States embarks on the development of its own
National Alzheimer’s Plan, the French Alzheimer Plan can and should
serve as a model,” said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the
Alzheimer’s Association.  ”President Sarkozy’s personal
dedication and commitment to ending Alzheimer’s has helped to spur
an entire nation to focus its attention on overcoming the disease
before it reaches its full, crippling impact in future years.”

Now in its third year, the French Alzheimer’s Plan has resulted
in the expansion of scientific knowledge about Alzheimer’s, the
addition of more than 600 practitioners trained in clinical
epidemiology and more than 100 fundamental research projects in
therapeutics, human and social sciences have been launched. The
addition of 65 new memory clinics have focused on early detection
and an effort is underway to add more than 500 new diagnostic
centers throughout the country. There has been an increase in the
number of respite care facilities to help Alzheimer’s caregivers.
The Sarkozy administration has also made significant inroads in
identifying areas of collaboration between the public and private
sectors to speed progress.

“The overwhelming number of people whose lives will be altered
by Alzheimer’s, combined with the staggering economic burden on
families and nations, makes Alzheimer’s the public health threat of
the 21st century,” said Johns. “Leadership at the top is vital to
address a crisis of this magnitude and important advances can be
made where there is a solid government commitment. With France we
also see that a well-developed strategy is only the beginning;
strong implementation of that strategy and accountability are
paramount to success as well - a key lesson for the United States
as it embarks on the development and implementation of a National
Alzheimer’s Plan.”

The National Alzheimer’s Project Act was signed into law by U.S.
President Barack Obama on January 4, 2011, after unanimous approval
in both the Senate and House of Representatives. It requires the
development of a national strategic plan in the United States to
address the Alzheimer’s crisis and coordinate efforts across the
federal government. Some of its chief aims include accelerating the
development of treatments that would prevent, halt, or reverse the
course of Alzheimer’s and coordinating Alzheimer’s care and
treatment. It also requires the United States government to work
with international bodies to integrate and broaden efforts in the
fight against Alzheimer’s globally.

About AAIC

The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is
the world’s largest conference of its kind, bringing together
researchers from around the world to report and discuss
groundbreaking research and information on the cause, diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and related
disorders.  As a part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s
research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new
knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research
community.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary
health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our
mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement
of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all
affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion
of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit
www.alz.org or call
800-272-3900.

Alzheimer’s Association media line: +1-312-335-4078, media at alz.org, AAIC 2011 press room, July 16-21: +33-(0)-1-57-25-20-35