Executive summary

The large and growing human and financial costs of dementia make policy action an urgent priority. Dementia is already the second largest cause of disability for the over-70s and costs societies more than half a trillion US dollars every year globally, while ageing populations mean these costs are rising. Despite the urgency of addressing dementia, current policies are failing to deliver much-needed progress in finding a cure, while communities, health systems and social services are struggling to meet the needs of people with dementia and their families and carers. This report argues that urgent policy action is required to accelerate innovation and rethink how countries support those living with dementia now and in the future.