As Minister of Health, I would like to draw attention to Alzheimer's Awareness Month, which takes place each year in January.
In Canada, more than one million Canadians are affected by neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. There is no cure for Alzheimer's - a disease that has a profound impact on those afflicted with it, including family and friends. Even more troubling, the number of Canadians who are diagnosed with this condition is expected to rise as our population ages.
Given the impact of Alzheimer's, the Government of Canada is taking action to improve the lives of those afflicted with this condition.
Just last month, the Government discussed the health, social, and economic challenges of dementia alongside other G8 nations and partners at the G8 Dementia Summit in London, England.
At this event, participants explored ways to harness the best research, innovations and partnerships that can prevent or delay the onset of dementia, while also improving the quality of life, care, and treatment for those affected, as well as their families and caregivers.
I was pleased to announce at the Summit that Canada and France will co-host a legacy event on academia-industry partnerships in Canada later this year.
As outlined in the 2013 Speech from the Throne, the Government pledged to renew its investments in health-related research that will tackle the growing onset of dementia and related illnesses.
In addition to these efforts, the Government of Canada has also:
- Invested $236 million over the past 10 years into dementia-related research through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research;
- Supported a $15 million national population health study in partnership with the Neurological Health Charities Canada to improve our understanding of Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions;
- Contributed to the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF) by matching private donations, dollar-for-dollar, with federal funding of up to $100 million. The CBRF supports Canadian neuroscience research to improve the quality of life of Canadians with brain disorders; and,
- Led the International Collaborative Research Strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
I encourage you to learn more about this devastating disease and the research being done. For more information about Alzheimer's research, please visit the Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), or for more information on Alzheimer's disease, including support services, please visit the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Sincerely,
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health, Government of Canada
