Page 103 - Memora anual Fundación CIEN 2017
P. 103
5. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
▄▀ 5.1. Introduction
LThe world population is aging. Improvements in he- munication technologies, but also because science
alth care in the last century have helped people to itself has become a truly international collaborative
have longer and healthier lives. However, this has re- activity. In particular, the scope and scale of the pro-
sulted in an increase in the number of people with blem of neurodegenerative diseases in today's so-
age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative ciety require a global response to confront this great
diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases are responsi- challenge and thus has been recognized by various
ble for mitigating states, largely untreated and are international institutions such as the European Union
closely linked with age. Among these disorders, de- (EU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation
mentias are responsible for the greatest burden of and Development (OECD), the World Health Orga-
disease, with Alzheimer's disease and related disor- nization (WHO), etc.), and the industrialized countries
ders the causes of impairment of approximately that constitute the G8. This global concern has led
seven million people in Europe. This figure is expected to the creation of the World Dementia Council
to double every 20 years, as the population ages. (WDC) with the aim of collectively spur action
against dementia worldwide in the areas of rese-
Currently, care and treatment of patients with some arch, clinical care and social awareness.
form of dementia in Europe accounts for a cost of
around 130,000 million euros a year, according to es- The leaders of governments, businesses and acade-
timates by the Joint Programme of the European mia also recognize the need for a coordinated stra-
Union for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases tegy to address this major global challenge for
(JPND). This comes to show that age-related neuro- health systems. There is consensus among all stake-
degenerative disorders are one of the leading me- holders on the need to build capacities, infrastruc-
dical and social challenges facing our society. tures and R&D resources in the field of
neurodegenerative diseases. As a result, WHO has
Although primarily affecting older people, demen- decided to establish a global observatory on de-
tia is not a normal part of aging. Dementia is a mentia to monitor the prevalence of the condition
syndrome mainly of chronic or progressive nature, and resources to care for patients in Member States
caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect me- as well as to track the establishment of national
mory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform plans and policies against dementia.
activities of daily life. Dementia is devastating not
only for those who suffer from it but also for their ca- There is also a pressing need for global participation
regivers and family. Worldwide, it is one of the lea- and a commitment to a significant increase in in-
ding causes of disability and dependence among vestment in skills and resources to reduce the dura-
the elderly. In most countries somehow there is a lack tion of these chronic brain pathologies and/or the
of awareness and understanding of dementia, cau- number of people at risk. This budgetary effort should
sing stigmatization, barriers to diagnosis and care, be accompanied by sound policies and legislative
and impacts on caregivers, family and society, both initiatives to encourage public-private partnerships.
from the physical as well as psychological and eco- History has shown that collaboration between
nomic point of view. academic researchers, government agencies
and pharmaceutical and biotechnology compa-
International scientific collaboration increases more nies is an essential ingredient in promoting this type
and more, not only because of the availability of in- of ambitious initiatives, especially when resources
ternational funding and the drive of modern com- are limited
CIEN Foundation Annual Report 2017 / 103
