The fear is well-founded: dementia is now the leading cause of death in the UK, and women face a particularly high risk, making up two-thirds of all diagnoses. Experts say this imbalance is partly due to longer female life expectancy, social isolation, and growing evidence linking menopause to dementia’s development.
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“People fear dementia because there is still no cure. Dementia continues to rob people of their independence and place an immense strain on families and society.”
She warned that by 2040, as many as 1.4 million people in the UK are expected to be living with the condition, making scientific progress “more urgent than ever”.
While most adults (59%) said they would feel comfortable discussing a diagnosis, stigma remains a significant barrier particularly in minority ethnic communities. Only 46% of Black African, Black Caribbean and Black British adults said they would feel comfortable speaking openly about a diagnosis, compared with 77% of white respondents.
Age also shapes attitudes. Nearly nine in ten adults aged 35–64 said they would seek medical advice if concerned about early symptoms, compared with eight in ten over-65s. Older adults were also twice as likely to say they would avoid seeking a diagnosis.
To tackle these issues, Alzheimer’s Research UK has expanded its Dementia Community Champions programme, a network of volunteers working to break down stigma and spark conversations about dementia and research in local communities.
Samantha Turner, who leads the initiative, said:
“There is still a significant amount of fear and stigma surrounding dementia, and for many, it’s something to be kept quiet. By building on existing trust within communities, we can create spaces where people feel supported and confident talking about dementia.”
The research also found strong public appetite for scientific breakthroughs. Finding a cure was ranked the top research priority by 43% of respondents, followed by prevention.
The findings come after two new dementia treatments; lecanemab and donanemab were licensed in the UK last year. Although not yet available on the NHS, experts say these drugs mark an important step toward effective treatment.
