Population ageing is rapidly reshaping the global health landscape. In this Policy Despatch, Lenny Shallcross, Executive Director of the World Dementia Council, examines what the demographic shift toward older populations means for brain health. As the number of people aged 50–79 grows worldwide, the risks associated with cognitive decline are becoming more visible. The question is whether advocacy, public policy and innovation will move fast enough to respond to one of the defining health challenges of an ageing world.

Chaired by Dr Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at the Alzheimer’s Association, the meeting will feature opening presentations from Professor Vanessa Raymont of the University of Oxford and Professor Jeff Burns of the University of Kansas, followed by a round-table discussion. The dialogue will explore how new biomarker can move from research settings into real-world health systems.

The World Dementia Council will host two major summits in 2026, bringing together leaders from research, clinical practice, public health, and advocacy. The 2026 WDC Summit in London will be held in October and the WDC China Summit in Guangzhou. The meetings will explore how scientific progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment can be translated into real-world practice. 

The World Dementia Council was established by the UK government following the G8 Dementia Summit held in London in 2013. Its mission is twofold: first, as a think tank to shape and strengthen global public policy on dementia; and second, to connect a diverse and international community committed to this goal, from bench scientists and health system leaders to advocates and community activists.