RSU Institute of Public Health takes part in international project to reduce burden of dementia and other neurological disorders
The Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Institute of Public Health is one of the partners in the international project JADE Health (Joint Action addressing DEmentia and HEALTH), which aims to mitigate the burden of neurological disorders, including dementia. In Latvia, the lead partner of the project is the RSU Institute of Public Health, with the Riga East Clinical University Hospital as the associated partner. The project is led by Acting Lecturer Larisa Savrasova.
- The project involves 47 organisations from 17 European countries;
- Over a period of three years, 44 pilot activities are planned, engaging more than 7,500 participants;
- The project’s total budget is EUR 5 million over three years;
- Through information and educational activities, the project aims to reach more than 2,000,000 people in order to raise awareness of neurodegenerative diseases and reduce the associated stigma.
Why is it important?
Mental health disorders are a significant public health challenge due to their prevalence, impact on quality of life, and economic burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, mental health problems cost the European Union (EU) around EUR 600 billion annually, equivalent to 4.1% of its gross domestic product. At the same time, the population continues aging: currently, 9% of the world’s population is over the age of 64, but according to the United Nations (UN) projections, by 2050, this proportion may rise to 16% (one in six people) (UN 2019¹; Yang, Zheng and Zhao 2021²).
Non-infectious diseases, such as dementia and other neurological disorders, are among the leading causes of death and a widespread reason for care among older people. Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia) account for 60–70% of all dementia cases and affect more than 55 million people worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified this burden, particularly for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.
What will JADE Health do?
The European Commission has identified mental health as one of its public health priorities and has launched 20 initiatives with a total funding of EUR 1.23 billion. JADE Health is one of these initiatives, which will introduce validated best practices across several countries and regions through international pilot projects to strengthen existing policies and programmes.
JADE Health implements a comprehensive, holistic approach to healthcare, focusing on multiple aspects. The project aims to strengthen health literacy, raise awareness of dementia, and promote its early detection through screening and primary prevention. The project is committed to supporting people living with dementia or other neurological disorders by facilitating early interventions and improving education. In addition, JADE Health seeks to raise public awareness of dementia by providing targeted education for family members, care professionals and other stakeholders.
RSU’s contribution to the international JADE Health project
Although mental health is increasingly discussed in public, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases remain insufficiently recognised and are often stigmatised in Latvia. As the lead partner of JADE Health, the RSU Insitute of Public Health is leading Work Package 5: Health Literacy and Data Availability in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute. The objectives of this module are:
- To assess the strengths and weaknesses of neurodegenerative disease surveillance in Europe, describe the dynamics of disease progression and the effectiveness of treatment for neurological disorders, as well as the burden of Alzheimer's disease and stroke in European countries;
- To describe the current situation in the sphere of health literacy interventions for neurodegenerative diseases and stroke among various target groups (healthcare professionals, relatives/care providers of people with neurodegenerative diseases, seniors).
Latvia will also participate in piloting best practices for health literacy interventions targeting at risk groups, which is planned to begin in Spring 2026. One of the goals of the pilot project is to reduce the stigma associated with neurodegenerative diseases by encouraging open discussion ‘without shame,’ thereby promoting early help-seeking.
1United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2020). World Population Ageing 2019 (ST/ESA/SER.A/444)
² Yang, Y., Zheng, R., & Zhao, L. (2021). Population Aging, Health Investment and Economic Growth: Based on a Cross-Country Panel Data Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1801. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041801
