China Unveils Plan to Combat Dementia by 2030, Addressing 16 Million Patients

Jan 6, 2025, 01:42 AM

China has launched a national action plan to address the growing prevalence of dementia, a condition that poses challenges to the well-being of elderly individuals and their families amid the country's rapidly aging population. The plan, involving 15 government departments, aims to establish a comprehensive system for dementia prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and care by 2030. Key measures include cognitive function screenings for individuals aged 65 and older, early interventions for high-risk groups, and the expansion of care services. By 2030, half of the nation’s elderly care homes with 100 or more beds are expected to have specialized units for dementia patients, and 15 million additional caregivers will be trained. Official data reveals that China has over 16 million dementia patients, accounting for nearly 30% of the global total. The initiative reflects the urgency of addressing dementia as a societal concern, given that the number of people aged 60 and above is projected to exceed 400 million by 2035.