Reflections from AAIC and the Road Ahead
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC) held in Toronto and online was more than just a gathering of scientists; it was a powerful showcase of a global community united in purpose.
We saw researchers, clinicians, patients, and advocates come together, all sharing their work and experiences. We heard about new diagnostics, including progress on blood tests, that can easily and accurately diagnose disease. We saw significant advancements on the next generation of disease modifiers that will make future treatments easier to administer, cheaper and, hopefully, more effective. And, we learned the results from studies like U.S. POINTER, that we can meaningfully protect brain health in diverse communities across the U.S. through specific lifestyle interventions.
But for patients and their families, now and in the future, we have to get this great science into primary care, into hospitals and into health systems. We will continue to make advances in science, but we must seize the moment and deliver.
The World Dementia Council’s Advocacy Breakfast at AAIC asked that question: at this pivot point for our community how can we advance delivery? Our discussion on “From Discovery to Delivery: Advocacy in the Era of Treatments” was a vital opportunity to bring together leaders from across science, policy, and patient communities for a thoughtful and essential dialogue. It also reminded us of what brought us to this moment — the broad movement of voices, from bench scientists to grassroots activists, that helped drive the funding increases and political will behind scientific progress. That same coalition will be essential as we move from discovery to delivery.
There are three critical areas we now need to focus on:
- Brain health — how we implement prevention and risk reduction strategies, both within health systems and in communities.
- Diagnostics and treatments — how we translate scientific breakthroughs from the lab to routine clinical practice.
- The narrative around dementia — how we build broader public understanding and grow the global network of advocates.
Implementation will look different in every country and context, shaped by the structure of individual health systems. But across all settings, it is advocacy movements that will drive progress. As we develop new insights and models, it is vital we share, test, and challenge them together. That is what the World Dementia Council is facilitating through a programme of meetings, dialogues, and workshops over the year ahead.
This discussion at AAIC was only the beginning. We will be hosting a panel discussion at the Alzheimer Europe Conference, taking place in Bologna 6-8 October where we will continue to explore how advocacy can evolve to meet the challenges of this new era.
We invite you to follow this crucial conversation with the World Dementia Council as we work to forge the collaborations needed to deliver change.
Learn more about how we are shaping the future of dementia advocacy and discover opportunities to contribute at: worlddementiacouncil.org/deliveringchange