The Global Dementia Observatory (GDO)
Knowledge Exchange Platform
Welcome to the Global Dementia Observatory
Click below to learn more about the Global Dementia Observatory
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!
2024 Eastern Mediterranean Regional Workshop- Implementation of the Dementia Global Action Plan
The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health of the State of Qatar, the WHO Collaboration Centre for Healthy Ageing and Dementia, and the Hamad Medical Corporation, organized a two-day Eastern Mediterranean regional workshop in Doha, Qatar on 18 – 19 September 2024. 45 representatives from ministries of health, persons with lived experience, and civil society organizations, exchanged experiences and insights into country-specific needs, available resources, and key priority areas in relation to strengthening their national dementia response and monitoring its progress.
#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.
Bahama's Geriatric Hospital Caregiver Symposium
Since 2015, Bahamas Geriatric Hospital has offered a Caregiver Symposium to help build caregiver capacity in order to ensure optimum care for older persons diagnosed with multiple chronic health problems, including dementia, by providing useful and engaging information about caregiving. The Symposium is held annually in October and it is offered free of charge to attendees. On average, 200 formal and informal caregivers attend the Symposium.
Minding the Gap (Season 2): Dementia
Radio Televisyen Brunei, in collaboration with Demensia Brunei, have released the second season of the podcast series "Minding the Gap". The season focuses on dementia. With over 700 download, the podcast series is helping raise awareness about dementia in Brunei. Topics covered in the podcast include: What is dementia? Communication and dementia; mental health of carers; daily activities and dementia; and dementia friendly environments.
Embedding Dementia in Age-Friendly Practices: WHO Global Database of Age-Friendly Practices
The WHO Global Database of Age-friendly Practices serves as a comprehensive repository of initiatives aimed at creating and sustaining environments that support healthy aging and encompasses a wide array of initiatives implemented by governments, organizations, and communities worldwide. Dementia-friendliness is tightly linked to societies also being inclusive and age-friendly. A preliminary analysis of the WHO Global Database of Age-friendly Practices shows a substantive number of practices directly related to dementia, covering all the eight age-friendly domains of action. In recognition of the intersections between age-friendly practices and dementia-related initiatives, we encourage stakeholders to work together to create inclusive, supportive communities that enable individuals of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to live with dignity, autonomy, and quality of life.
In Memoriam: Roger Marple
Last year, we lost Roger Marple – a dear friend, staunch supporter and founding member of the Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange Platform Focus Group of people with lived experience of dementia. In 2020, Roger joined the GDO KE Focus Group and together with the other Focus Group Members contributed substantially to its success by co-designing a unique process that would allow people who are living with dementia to review and critically appraise resources that are submitted to the GDO KE Platform.
Facilitated Group Singalongs in a Retirement Home in Canada
A facilitated group singalong program has been implemented in a Canadian long term care home to support the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Residents living with dementia have responded positively to the music program, which has been successful at engaging people with various backgrounds and conditions.