Advancing dementia care: a review of Italy’s public health response within the WHO Global Action Plan and European strategies

Abstract

Introduction Dementia is a growing global public health priority, with the WHO Global Action Plan (GAP) calling for coordinated efforts worldwide. Italy, one of the oldest nations globally, faces a significant challenge with approximately 2 million individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. In response, the Italian Fund for Alzheimer’s and other Dementias (IFAD) was established in 2020 to align national efforts with the WHO GAP’s objectives. This study analyses IFAD activities from 2021 to 2023, offering insights into Italy’s public health response to dementia and its relevance to global strategies.Methods We conducted a structured, iterative review of all activities coordinated by the Italian Dementia Observatory (OssDem-Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS)) within IFAD 2021–2023. Global, regional and national documents on dementia prevention, care and support were retrieved from official websites, institutional repositories and targeted web searches using the keywords ‘dementia’, ‘brain health’ and ‘ageing’. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data with a predefined matrix mapped to the seven WHO GAP Action Areas. Human-subject studies cited had independent ethics approval and informed consent; no new data were collected for this review.Results IFAD activities led to substantial progress in dementia care services, with memory clinics, residential care facilities and daycare centres mapped, revealing regional disparities in service provision. Modifiable risk factors accounted for 39.5% of dementia cases in Italy, with an estimated 67 000 cases preventable through risk reduction. National guidelines were developed to standardise dementia care pathways, and training programmes addressed gaps in HP and caregiver preparedness, particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Discussion Italy’s experience provides valuable lessons for countries facing similar demographic challenges. The IFAD extension to 2024–2026 aims to address persistent regional disparities and further implement national guidelines and prevention strategies. By integrating Italy’s progress with broader international frameworks, the Italian model can inform global efforts to enhance dementia care, highlighting the importance of scalable, regionally adapted strategies for addressing the growing global burden of dementia.