HEALTH COUNCIL : COUNCIL TAKES ACTION AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

• Position: Brief article

In the context of the EU's ageing population, the member states, the European Commission and the Social Protection Committee should make the fight against neurodegenerative diseases associated with ageing - and in particular Alzheimer's disease - a priority, the Union's health ministers said in their Council conclusions, on 16 December.

According to the ministers, it is imperative to take account of the potential consequences of such diseases for the financial sustainability of health and social protection systems. They call on the member states and the EU executive to "reflect together on existing quality criteria for the care of patients and the support of carers" and to aim for improvements in these areas.

Member states are asked to draft national strategies, action plans or "any other measure" that provides for "effective and assessable implementation arrangements" in order to improve the life of patients and their carers. They should also provide and "improve the distribution of useful information"...