Eight in 10 Britons want Prime Minister Andy Burnham to establish dementia as a national healthcare priority, according to a new survey. However, a substantial portion of the public believes the government is not doing enough to address the rising number of dementia cases.
The poll of 1,000 individuals, conducted by the Alzheimer's Society, found that 81 percent of Britons desire dementia to be a national healthcare priority. Conversely, only 15 percent of respondents feel that the government is adequately preparing for the increasing prevalence of the disease.
Furthermore, the survey indicates that over half of voters (52 percent) would be more inclined to support a political party that commits to increasing dementia funding. The Daily Mail and Alzheimer's Society have launched a joint campaign, 'Defeating Dementia,' aiming to raise awareness, promote early diagnosis, enhance research, and improve care for those affected by the condition, which is Britain's biggest killer, claiming 76,000 lives annually.
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, stated that dementia has repeatedly failed to be made a priority by successive governments. She emphasized that the current polling sends a clear message to the new Prime Minister, who has personal experience with the disease through his father's battle with Alzheimer's. Dyson urged Burnham to seize the opportunity to implement a bold plan for those affected by dementia, noting that new treatments and diagnostic blood tests are becoming available.
Andrea Yates, from Burnham's constituency, expressed hope that the Prime Minister's personal connection to dementia will lead to positive changes. Her father, Michael, was diagnosed with dementia in 2023. Yates highlighted the need for improved diagnosis, support, and care for individuals living with the disease.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged dementia as a