Health Talk | Mindful care: Navigating Alzheimer's with love

Editor's Note: Every September marks World Alzheimer's Month, an international campaign to raise awareness and increase public understanding of Alzheimer's disease and all forms of dementia. CGTN spoke with Professor Guo Yi, principal investigator at the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory and principal expert for the Brain Health Program at United Family Hospital. He shared his insights on the importance of early screening and disease prevention.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and is the most common form of dementia. In 2021, an estimated 57 million people had dementia worldwide, and AD may contribute to 60 to 70 percent of cases, according to the World Health Organization. The disease gradually impairs memory, cognitive functions, and the ability to perform simple daily activities. Currently, there is no cure. 

Early screening and managing risk factors are crucial for disease prevention, Guo said. Although it's hard to differentiate the signs of normal aging from those of Alzheimer's, according to Guo, AD usually progresses much faster than aging. He advises individuals to undergo medical screening as early as possible, emphasizing that a diagnosis during the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) phase presents the best opportunity for effective intervention.

In China, the total number of people with AD and other kinds of dementia had surpassed 16 million, according to an official report released in 2024.

China is stepping up a national action plan as the country grapples with the challenges of an aging population.

The action plan, jointly launched by 15 Chinese institutions, including the National Health Commission and the National Development and Reform Commission, outlines seven key tasks to combat dementia and sets a series of targets to be achieved by 2030.

According to the plan, a comprehensive and continuous prevention and control system for dementia, covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and care, will be established by 2030.

Executive Producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Xu Wen, Chen Hongyu, Li Yue

Video editor: Xu Wen

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