Alzheimer's disease remains one of the health conditions that most concerns Spanish society (63%), close behind cancer (68%) and ahead of stroke (57%) and heart attack (46%). Covid-19, which ranked 4th in the first wave of the survey, presented in the midst of the pandemic, currently falls to 8th place.
This is one of the main conclusions of the second wave of the survey of "Attitudes and perceptions of the Spanish population regarding Alzheimer's» prepared by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, on a sample of 2,395 people. The aim of this study, which is being presented in the framework of World Alzheimer's Day, is to find out the opinion of the population on different aspects of the disease and to provide an analysis of the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes towards Alzheimer's and its research.
The results also show that Alzheimer's is the number one health concern for people over the age of 55, with 79% of respondents considering it the main problem facing older people, above cancer.
In addition, the survey highlights the magnitude of the impact that Alzheimer's has on society, since 2 out of 3 Spaniards say they know someone who has or has had the diseaseIn 27% cases, it is a first-degree relative.
“In the framework of World Alzheimer's Day, we publish this study to reaffirm the growing concern about this disease, its enormous social impact and the need to continue working to increase the knowledge of the Spanish population about this disease. We believe that generating public debate and social awareness is crucial so that this disease receives the attention it deserves and its approach is considered a strategic priority.", he declared Dr. Arcadi Navarro, director of the Pasqual Maragall Foundation.
Lack of knowledge about Alzheimer's disease
In the survey, 1 in 4 Spaniards claim to have a high level of knowledge of the disease and almost half have a medium level of knowledge. However, the results show confusion regarding important aspects of Alzheimer's such as:
– Almost half (45%) of respondents consider that developing Alzheimer's is part of the aging process, when it is not a direct cause and does not cause its development.
– 571% of the population considers Alzheimer's to be hereditary, when in reality genetic inheritance is only a determining factor in 11% or less of cases.
– Only 56% knows that the development of Alzheimer's can be prevented by leading healthy lifestyle habits.
To download the full report, see this link.
