Dementia India Alliance (DIA), a non-profit organization, has recently introduced a national dementia support line and DemClinic, an online memory screening clinic. Dementia is a syndrome resulting from various diseases that progressively damage nerve cells and impair brain function, often marked by mood and behavioral changes. Common symptoms include memory loss, misplacing items, getting lost in familiar places, and time disorientation. Currently, there is no cure for dementia, but supportive measures are crucial. Over 55 million people globally suffer from dementia, with 60% residing in low- and middle-income nations. The World Health Organization has identified dementia as a public health priority, advocating the Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025, tracked by the Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) for data collection.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Dementia: Dementia is a syndrome characterized by cognitive decline resulting from various diseases that damage nerve cells and the brain, leading to memory loss and behavioral changes.
- Dementia India Alliance (DIA): DIA is a non-profit organization dedicated to dementia research and support, notable for launching a national dementia support line and DemClinic.
- Global Action Plan on Dementia: This plan, endorsed by the World Health Assembly, outlines strategies for addressing dementia as a public health concern from 2017 to 2025.
- Global Dementia Observatory (GDO): The GDO is a data portal developed by the World Health Organization to collect information on 35 key dementia indicators across seven strategic areas of the Global Action Plan on Dementia.