China rolls out plan to tackle growing issue of dementia

Mon Jan 06 12:46:51 IST 2025: ## China Launches National Plan to Combat Soaring Dementia Rates

**HONG KONG, January 6, 2025** – China has unveiled a comprehensive national plan to tackle its rapidly growing dementia crisis, a significant societal challenge impacting millions of elderly citizens and their families. The plan, a collaborative effort from 15 government departments including the National Health Commission, aims to establish a robust prevention and control system by 2030.

The initiative comes amidst a rapidly aging population. China’s over-60 population is projected to surge by at least 40% to over 400 million by 2035, exceeding the combined populations of the United States and Britain. This demographic shift, coupled with increased life expectancy, has led to a dramatic rise in dementia cases, with current estimates exceeding 16 million – nearly 30% of the global total.

The seven-point plan focuses on prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and care. Key targets include widespread cognitive screenings for the elderly, early intervention for at-risk individuals, and a significant expansion of care services. By 2030, the government aims for dementia care units to comprise over 50% of elderly care institutions and to train 15 million dementia care personnel. The plan emphasizes controlling the growth of dementia through early detection and intervention.