"Policy Recommendations for Improving Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Control System" released

On October 23, at the 2021 Shanghai Forum on "Healthy Aging-Innovation Helps Precise Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease", under the guidance of the Social Development Research Department of the Development Research Center of the State Council, under the guidance of the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Health Commission, etc.
With the support of multiple ministries and agencies, the Shanghai Medical Innovation Development Foundation has issued the "Policy Recommendations for Improving the Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Control System", aiming to establish and improve China's aging response system for the next 5-10 years In the “window period”, the national disease strategy for Alzheimer’s disease was formed, and for the first time, it was proposed to include formulating a national strategy and action plan for Alzheimer’s disease, promoting precise diagnosis and treatment, and accelerating the development and marketing of drugs with a clear pathological mechanism.
Five feasible policy recommendations
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"Policy Recommendations for Improving Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Control System" released

Actively respond to aging, first to achieve double 80

The "14th Five-Year Plan" period is an important strategic window period for actively responding to the aging of the population
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During this period, China has entered a stage of rapid aging development.

Researcher Ge Yanfeng of the Social Development Research Department of the Development Research Center of the State Council said: “To build an effective Alzheimer’s disease prevention and control system, on the one hand, we must continuously improve the relevant public health and medical and nursing service policies, and at the same time, we must vigorously promote technological progress, especially It is the research and development, introduction, and application of related drugs and technical methods to promote the development of healthy aging in the form of a two-wheel drive of policy and industry
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Researcher Ge Yanfeng, Social Development Research Department, Development Research Center of the State Council

Mao Qun’an, Deputy Director of the Office of the Healthy China Action Promotion Committee and Director of the Department of Planning, Development and Information Technology of the National Health Commission, said: “The Healthy China Action (2019-2030) clearly states the growth rate of the prevalence of Alzheimer’s among people aged 65 and over The goal of declining
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The “Working Plan for Exploring Special Services for the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease” issued by the National Health Commission emphasizes that the awareness rate of the Chinese public on the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease should reach 80%, and the cognitive function screening rate of the elderly in the community (village) should reach 80%.

Mao Qun'an, Deputy Director of the Office of the Healthy China Action Promotion Committee, Director of the Planning Development and Informatization Department of the National Health Commission

Xing Ruoqi, deputy director of the Medical Administration and Hospital Administration Bureau of the National Health Commission, said: “Clarify the diagnosis and treatment standards for major diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and the path of precise disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, establish a new system for the high-quality development of modern hospitals, and strengthen the national medical center and regional medical care.
The construction of the center and key clinical specialty groups will play a leading and leading role to realize the expansion of high-quality medical resources and the balanced distribution of regions, so that the people can enjoy continuous high-quality medical services
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Xing Ruoqi, Deputy Director of the Medical Administration and Management Bureau of the National Health Commission

Five major challenges facing China's Alzheimer's disease prevention and control

With the advancement of national policies, China has made a series of progress in the prevention and control of Alzheimer's disease
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The "Policy Recommendations" summarizes some of the challenges currently facing the prevention and control of Alzheimer's disease through a comprehensive review of the current status and data of the disease:

First, the incidence rate continues to increase
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Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of dementia in China doubles every 5 years

Second, the social and family burdens are increasing day by day
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Patients with Alzheimer's disease often require several years, ten years or even longer treatment and care, and families and society have to pay huge costs for this

Third, the timeliness of diagnosis is insufficient, and it is easy to miss the golden window period
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At present, the consultation rate of patients with mild dementia and severe dementia in China is only 14% and 34%, respectively.

Professor Wu Fan, Associate Dean of Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University

Fourth, there is a huge unmet need for disease treatment
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At present, there are only five drugs approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in China, and these drugs can only control symptoms for a short period of time, but cannot delay the disease progression

Fifth, the social security mechanism needs to be further improved
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At present, with the exception of some pilot cities, there is a lack of relevant institutional arrangements to support the costs incurred in patient medication and daily care
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Relevant social organizations also have a series of problems, such as limited professional capabilities, insufficient coverage, and uneven development of the elderly care system
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Five policy recommendations help improve the Alzheimer's disease prevention and control system

"With the theme of promoting high-quality development" is the guiding principle and main goal of China's economic and social development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period.
It also provides important guidance for the active implementation of the national strategy to respond to the aging of the population
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To this end, the "Policy Recommendations" put forward five major recommendations to help improve my country's Alzheimer's disease prevention and control system:

First, formulate a national strategy and action plan to deal with Alzheimer's disease in line with China's national conditions
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In view of the great challenge that Alzheimer's disease brings to healthy aging, all members should be mobilized to fully realize that "improving the prevention and control of Alzheimer's disease as an important national strategic action to actively respond to aging", and clarify the Alzheimer's The short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and tasks for the prevention and control of silent diseases
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Second, promote early screening and diagnosis of diseases and grasp the golden window period
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Strengthen health education for the whole population, strengthen disease prevention, early screening and diagnosis
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In the community, consider including the early screening of Alzheimer's disease in the annual physical examination for people over 55; in the workplace, consider adding Alzheimer's disease screening during the annual physical examination for people over 40.

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Third, clarify the standards for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and improve the level of medical care
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Promote the development and wide application of biomarker technology and products, and use objective biomarker detection as the standard for screening and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
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Formulate clear diagnosis and treatment standards, conduct extensive education among relevant medical institutions and medical staff, and promote the rapid popularization of precision diagnosis and treatment
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Establish an integrated center for precision diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease to improve medical standards and benefit patients
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Fourth, promote the research and development and marketing of drugs with a clear pathological mechanism
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Encourage the development and introduction of innovative drugs, especially targeted drugs for Alzheimer's disease that have a clear mechanism of action and can truly delay the progression of the disease
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At present, there is already a clear pathological mechanism for the disease in the world, that is, Alzheimer's disease drugs that reduce brain amyloid plaques have been approved
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Fifth, build and improve the relevant social security ecosystem
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A long-term protection system for patients with Alzheimer's disease will be established as soon as possible, including daily care models and cost-sharing mechanisms, so as to alleviate the life pressure of patients and families
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Professor Chen Biao, chief physician of the Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, said frankly: “Promote precise diagnosis and treatment and grasp the golden window for disease intervention
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Encourage innovative drugs, especially the development and introduction of targeted drugs that have a clear mechanism of action and can truly delay disease progression.
It is of practical help to resolve outstanding contradictions such as misdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, high missed diagnosis rate, low treatment rate, and unsatisfactory prognosis effect in our country.
It is of significance for effective prevention and control of Alzheimer’s disease and improving the quality of life of patients and their families.
Significant
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Professor Chen Biao, Chief Physician of Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University

President Rao Keqin of the Chinese Health Economics Association called: "Alzheimer’s disease prevention and control is related to the quality of life, happiness and sense of acquisition of every family
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We hope that all sectors of society will work together to implement the "Policy Recommendations" into the action plan as soon as possible.
, Accelerate the improvement of China’s Alzheimer’s disease prevention and control system, actively respond to the national strategy of healthy aging, and work together for a healthy, happy and prosperous tomorrow
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President Rao Keqin, Chinese Health Economics Association