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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
editorial
. 2017 Jan 1;108(1):e95–e97. doi: 10.17269/CJPH.108.5852

The Canadian dementia challenge: Ensuring optimal care and services for those at risk or with dementia throughout the country

Howard H Feldman 115,215,, Carole A Estabrooks 315
PMCID: PMC6975213  PMID: 28425906

Abstract

In the next 15 years, Canada is predicted to face a doubling in its population affected by dementia. By 2038, an estimated 1.1 million Canadians will be experiencing dementia, with unprecedented impact on social, economic and health landscapes. In September 2015, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences convened a Forum, with the specific thematic goals of reviewing progress towards effective dementia treatment and prevention, improved systems of care, advanced living and built environments, and impactful technology developments. The orientation of the Forum was to focus on potential solutions and advances in these areas. These areas are integral to the goal of a national end-to-end program, where all affected Canadians can be optimally supported in their communities and receive quality of care - regardless of where they live or who they are.

Key Words: Dementia, prevention, national strategy, services

Footnotes

Conflict of Interest: In the last 3 years, Dr. Feldman has provided consultative services through service agreements with University of British Columbia and University of California, San Diego to Eli Lilly, Tau Rx, Merck, Biogen, lonis, and Arena Pharmaceuticals. He has served as a member of a Data Safety Monitoring Board for Eisai Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostic Monitoring Committee for Cenentech/ Banner Health. He has also served as member of research policy committee for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and the scientific advisory board of the Tau Consortium. He currently serves on the Research Executive Committee of the Canadian Consortium of Neurodegeneration and Aging funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and is Director of the Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study funded through the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Estabrooks has no conflicts to declare.

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