Statement from the Minister of Health on World Alzheimer's Day

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is having a substantial and growing impact in Canada and around the world. According to the latest national data, almost 474,000 people aged 65 and older have been diagnosed with dementia in Canada. Of those living with dementia, two-thirds are women.

September 21, 2023 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is having a substantial and growing impact in Canada and around the world. According to the latest national data, almost 474,000 people aged 65 and older have been diagnosed with dementia in Canada. Of those living with dementia, two-thirds are women.

The number of Canadians living with dementia more than doubled in the last two decades. As our population ages, this number is expected to continue to increase. Today, on World Alzheimer's Day, it is important that we come together to continue to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting Canadians living with dementia, their families, and caregivers. In 2019, we released Canada's first national dementia strategy, which sets out three objectives: to prevent dementia; advance therapies and find a cure; and improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and caregivers.

The national dementia strategy has been supported by federal investments of almost $400M since 2015 in research and innovation, community-based projects, awareness, surveillance, and guidance. The Government of Canada is committed to continue to collaborate with the many organizations and individuals across the country, including federal, provincial, territorial and local governments; advocacy groups; researchers; health care providers; and academics as well as people living with dementia and caregivers. Collaborating with these dedicated organizations and individuals is essential to advancing the implementation of the strategy.

Many people in Canada will be impacted by dementia over the course of their lives, either through a personal diagnosis or that of someone close to them. As such, it is crucial to increase collective efforts to reduce the stigma around dementia, to make our communities more age-friendly and dementia-inclusive, and to improve the health outcomes and well-being of people living with dementia.

Today, for World Alzheimer's Day, I encourage you to visit Canada.ca/dementia to learn more about dementia, what Canada is doing to support the national dementia strategy and the steps you can take to help lower the risk of developing dementia and address dementia-related stigma.

Together, we can all play a role in reducing stigma and making our communities more supportive for people living with or affected by dementia.

The Honourable Mark Holland

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Contacts

Alexandra Maheux
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
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