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In global approaches to dementia research, do not forget care

Nature Medicine volume 29, page 1595 (2023)Cite this article

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We read with great interest the editorial on the importance of a global approach to dementia research1. We agree that a global approach to research into the mechanisms, prevalence, risk factors and prevention of dementia is needed. We would like to highlight an additional and crucial aspect of dementia research that was not mentioned in the editorial but also requires a global approach: care for people with dementia throughout the illness trajectory, including at the end of life.

Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide and the fourth among individuals 70 and older, representing 3% of total deaths in 20192. As the global population ages, the prevalence of dementia is likely to continue rising, with the largest percentage increases occurring in regions such as North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean (367%) and eastern sub-Saharan Africa (357%)3. Therefore, while working toward effective prevention and treatment approaches, there is also a need for research aiming to optimize care and maintain quality of life for those who will live with dementia and who will die with or from this disease4. Care is also highlighted as a key research theme in the World Health Organization (WHO) dementia research blueprint, to which your editorial refers5.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. End-of-Life Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Ghent University, Brussels, Belgium

    Fanny Monnet, Charlèss Dupont & Lara Pivodic

Authors
  1. Fanny Monnet
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  2. Charlèss Dupont
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  3. Lara Pivodic
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fanny Monnet.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Monnet, F., Dupont, C. & Pivodic, L. In global approaches to dementia research, do not forget care. Nat Med 29, 1595 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02356-x

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