In February, ADI representatives took part in key events in the Americas region, showcasing the region’s progress in brain health and dementia policy, from a workshop in Peru on advancing brain health to a neuroscience conference in Chile and discussions with partners in the region.
ADI Board Member speaks at dementia workshop in Peru
Over 3-4 February 2025, ADI Board Member Rosa Farrés attended and spoke at a vital Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) event in Peru: Advancing Brain Health in Peru – Interdisciplinary Approaches for a National Dementia Plan. This two-day workshop was centered around the development of a National Dementia Plan.
Peru has a population of 33 million people, and a 2022 IHME report approximated that at the time, there were almost 200,000 people living with dementia – a figure which is set to increase to almost 750,000 by 2050.
The event, hosted by the GBHI in collaboration with IMPACT Salud (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and Imperial College London), and the University of California Global Health Institute (GloCal) Health Fellowship focused on five goals to guide conference objectives: context, policy, communication, collaboration, and action.
Local, national, and international guests were invited to this event in Lima, Peru from diverse sectors, including ADI’s member association in the region, APEAD – Asociación Peruana de Enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras Demencias, to advance comprehensive brain health strategies across Peru.
On her experience at the workshop, Rosa said:
As in most of our Latin American countries, neurodegenerative diseases in the ageing population place a considerable burden on both caregivers and families. This workshop brought researchers, representatives of decision-makers, and civil society together to engage in important discussions surrounding the current work being carried out within the Peruvian context. Once these cases were presented, round-table discussions allowed for attendees to share thoughts and conclusions, resulting in a dynamic, interesting, and enriching experience.
Rosa Farrés has been an elected member of the ADI Board since 2022 and has been involved with the ADI member association, Mexican Federation of Alzheimer’s, since 2002 having served as President of the organisation from 2018 to 2022.
Neuroscience Next Conference in Chile
ADI’s Regional Director for the Americas Region, Diego Aguilar, was in Chile for the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) Neuroscience Next conference from 24 –27 February 2025.
While there, Diego spoke at the Latin America and the Caribbean Consortium on Dementia (LAC CD) Annual Meeting. The LAC CD oversees and promotes dementia research and clinical activities in the region.
The consortium focuses on training health practitioners, fostering research networks, standardising diagnostic procedures, validating assessments for diverse populations, enhancing grant opportunities, accelerating knowledge access, and engaging policymakers to support regional dementia strategies.
Diego also used his time in Chile to meet with the Mental Health team at the Ministry of Health for Chile and ADI’s member association in Chile, Corporación Alzheimer Chile.
About his trip, Diego said:
Along with Agustín Ibáñez, Andrea Slachevsky and other top Latin American researchers, I was delighted to share ADI’s global and regional perspectives on dementia policy during the conferences. After meeting with government officials at the Chilean Ministry of Health and volunteers at Corporación Alzheimer Chile, I can say Chile leads the way in policy and care in the LatAm region.