On Tuesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the development of a blueprint for dementia research, a first-of-its-kind initiative for non-communicable diseases. In a statement, the WHO noted that the blueprint has been designed to guide policymakers, funders, and the research community on dementia research. The blueprint will make decision-making and research more efficient, equitable, and impactful.

Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges of our generation, dubbed as the 7th leading cause of death globally. However, dementia research accounts for less than 1.5% of total health research output. According to WHO, strategies are needed for better understanding, preventing, and treating the underlying diseases that cause dementia and, at the same time, providing care and support for people with dementia. Moreover, dementia research needs to be conducted within an enabling environment where collaborations are fostered and equitable and sustained investment is realized.

The blueprint for dementia research is built on lessons learned from WHO efforts to prioritise research and coordinate research activities for infectious diseases, such as considering the entire dementia research spectrum, incorporating diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as emerging scientific and technological advances such as artificial intelligence, multi-omics, and biomarkers, and also encompassing epidemiology, health economics, care, and carer research, risk reduction, and brain health across the life course.

The blueprint also provides insight into different drivers of research, such as sustainable funding, diversity and equity, and the involvement of people with lived experience of dementia throughout the research development process.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/dementia-who-gives-blueprint-for-research-on-7th-leading-cause-of-death/94656644 )