WHO's global action plan on the public health response to dementia: some challenges and opportunities

WHO's global action plan on the public health response to dementia (GAPD) approved by the World Health Assembly in May 2017 when fully implemented should make a tangible difference to the lives of people affected by dementia since it identifies seven priority actions areas, sets out parallel targets for countries to achieve and provides governments with the required framework to develop their own national dementia plans. The Plan reflects global solidarity on the world dementia stage: it is heavily embedded in rights-based principles and augurs much hope for people living with dementia and their family members. But what practical steps will be required of countries committed to ensuring that their policy plans comply with the GADP? What are some of the tensions and contradictions embedded in the Plan? Who are the winners and losers in this Plan and what action will be required of civic society to ensure that countries step up to the challenge of dementia and develop and implement their own policy plans? How likely is that all of the targets set out in the Plan will be achieved by 2025? This paper discusses the relevance of the GAPD for policy makers and civic society and critically reviews aspects of the Plan highlighting some of the key challenges and opportunities the Plan is likely to pose.