The Global Dementia Observatory (GDO)
Knowledge Exchange Platform
Welcome to the Global Dementia Observatory
Click below to learn more about the Global Dementia Observatory
Staying Mentally Fit – Preventing Dementia with 10 Steps
Germany's Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) and the German Alzheimer’s Association (DAlzG) developed a dementia prevention education programme under the National Dementia Strategy. The initiative includes a 90-minute lecture on reducing dementia risk, distributed over 600 times since 2025, and a Train-the-Trainer programme preparing facilitators to deliver evidence-based prevention messaging nationwide.
In memoriam: Hilary Doxford
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hilary Doxford, a dedicated advocate in the global dementia community. Her leadership helped elevate the voices of people living with dementia and advance more inclusive, person‑centred approaches. In honour of her legacy, we remain committed to strengthening efforts to ensure meaningful engagement of people living with dementia at all levels of decision‑making.
Virtual webinar series on dementia care
WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, WHO Headquarters, and the Doha Collaborating Centre hosted a six‑month dementia webinar series to support the implementing the Global Dementia Action Plan. The series covered information on memory services, primary care diagnoses, new biomarkers, emerging treatments, caregiver support tools, dementia risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and monitoring. Experts highlighted the need for scalable services, stronger prevention, better preparedness, support for caregivers, and implementation research to guide future regional action.
Portable MRI Opens New Pathways for Equitable Dementia Research
Ultra‑low‑field MRI is redefining what equitable dementia research can look like. As highlighted by Dr. Tavia Evans during January's Dementia Research Dialogue session, portable scanners can bring high‑quality brain imaging into underserved regions—helping close some of the biggest global gaps in neuroimaging data and access. This innovation directly strengthens key pillars of the WHO Dementia Research Blueprint, expanding equity, improving diagnosis, and strengthening research capacity globally.
Extension of the Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2031
At the 78th World Health Assembly, WHO Member States decided to extend the Global action plan on the public health response to dementia until 2031 (WHA78). For the next 6 years, WHO will continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to realize the vision of the plan, including leveraging on advances in policy, service delivery, information and research to meet global dementia targets.
Professor Huali Wang Recognized for Advancing Dementia Care
At the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, Professor Huali Wang was awarded the 2025 His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Promotion of Healthy Ageing, in recognition of her lifelong contributions to dementia care in China and globally.
iSupport Network
To ensure that iSupport is culturally relevant and appropriate, iSupport can be translated and adapted to national contexts and needs. The iSupport network is a support mechanism for researchers and implementers to share good-practice examples on iSupport adaptation and implementation for different populations, countries and cultures. With 84 researchers and implementers across 40 countries, the network fosters mutual learning and aims to harmonize research efforts.
WHO Dementia Research Dialogues: Where Blueprint Meets Practice
WHO’s Dementia Research Dialogues support the implementation of the Blueprint for Dementia Research by bringing together leaders in dementia to translate research into practice and policy. The Dementia Research Dialogues include 1) monthly sessions to advance global and local dementia research agendas forward, 2) a Dementia Research Community to foster global collaboration. Join the Dementia Research Dialogues community to shape impactful, evidence-based research!
Dementia Research Dialogues series recordings
Watch past Dementia Research Dialogues sessions featuring experts discussing how the Blueprint is translated into practice and policy around the world.
#bademantelchallenge
The DZNE Foundation's dementia awareness campaign #bademantelchallenge encouraged people to take photos in bathrobes at unusual locations. The campaign reached over 140 million people, gaining widespread media attention and sparking important conversations about Alzheimer's and dementia.
Finland's National Brain Health Program
Finland's National Brain Health Program was established in 2023. The program examines brain health through the operating environments of three age groups (children and young people, people of working age, and seniors). The emphasis is on brain wellbeing and functional ability. Since its inception, the program has helped raise awareness about brain health across Finland, with an emphasis on sleep and brain health in 2024.
Reaching the unreached: Delivering a geriatric mental health service in rural India
In 2023, Dementia Care (DEMCARES) in Schizophrenia Research Foundation started a project to raise awareness, facilitate diagnosis, and provide necessary interventions for people with dementia and other mental health conditions among older adults in rural Indian communities. To date, 169 individuals have been diagnosed with dementia, and 55 with mild cognitive impairment. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments have been provided to all eligible.
Dancer not Dementia
Dancer not Dementia is a film that features a participatory dance program called Sharing Dance Older Adults. The film was designed to counter the dominant tragedy narrative of people living with dementia, focusing instead on the creativity and abilities of dancers living with dementia.
'We are the medicine ourselves' [Dutch: 'We zijn zelf het medicijn'] public health campaign
The public health campaign “We zijn zelf het medicijn” (“We are the medicine ourselves”) was developed in 2016 and 2017 with the aim of increasing awareness awareness of the relationship between modifiable risk and protective factors and dementia in Dutch people aged 40-75 years. The campaign materials have been updated as part of the Netherlands Dementia Prevention Initiative (NDPI). Current activities within NDPI focus on tailoring the campaign to the needs and wishes of at-risk groups that are less well reached by traditional preventive messages
WHO’s Science in 5: Dementia
To learn more about dementia, including the causes of dementia and how to lower your chances of getting dementia, watch episode #122 of WHO’s Science in 5 series where Dr. Katrin Seeher explains Dementia in 5.
Dementia Friends Mexico
Since 2018, Dementia Friends Mexico has helped raise dementia awareness in Mexico by providing education and leading awareness raising activities across the country. To date, the initiative has reached over 11,500 people in Mexico. With over 300 volunteers helping spread awareness, Dementia Friends Mexico is committed to continue to promote understanding and support for people living with dementia.
Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia Community Corner
Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia Community Corner (AACC) provides a community friendly and inclusive space for opportunities for open dialogue and exchange of ideas, information and resources regarding dementia. On average, 163 people living with dementia and 152 caregivers attend programming offered at AACC each month. The many activities and awareness events hosted at AACC have been well received by people living with dementia, caregivers and the wider community. Most importantly, the AACC has improved social inclusiveness for people living with dementia.