An Alzheimer Campaign in France (Haute Vienne):

Impact on Public Opinion and StigmaDr L Cartz-Piver(1,2), Dr N Dumoitier(2,3), Mme H Videaud(1,2) ,

Pr P Couratier(1,3), Pr JP Clément(1,3).

Alzheimer’s Disease International TORONTO, march 2011

(1) Memory Clinic and Research Center , Limoges University Hospital, France(2) Réseau COGLIM, Limoges, France(3) Médecine University, Limoges, France 1

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in France

• Population: 65 million (INSEE, 2011)

– Estimated 800,000 people with AD

• French Health Recommendations (HAS, 2008) and 3rd French Alzheimer’s Plan (2008-2012)

Early diagnosis is important for– Better treatment, care and information– May delay admission in nursing homes.

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Delay in Screening for AD

The BNA Bank National Alzheimer :French National Register since 2009Data from > 300 memory clinics

RESULTS (dec 2010):

Average MMS score at 1st visit : 17/30 Moderately severe stage of AD

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WHY the delay?

People’s attitudes may be one of the causes:Lack of informationPsychological and social factors “… may have a negative impact on the

intention to obtain screening and to ask for help or assistance “ (Gallez, 2005).

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Objectives

• Organize a campaign about ADInform people about the disease and

about health structures and sources for care and assistance

• Evaluate the impact of the campaign

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Haute Vienne, Limousin in France: one of the oldest populations in Europe

Haute Vienne in LIMOUSIN

France Europe

Over 65 years old

23,1% 16,3% 16,8%

Over 75 years old

11,8% 7,7% 7,5%

(cf. INSEE, 2003)

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“A different look at Alzheimer”(September 2009)

ConferencesMeetings with

professionals and families from France Alzheimer Association

Cultural events: a play, movies, and a modern ballet dance.

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Questionnaire

Have you learned about AD ?

Have you identified sources for care ? For assistance ?

Are you more or less willing to screen for AD?

Have you changed the way you see people with AD?

Are you more or less inclined to keep close contact

with a patient and a family suffering from AD?

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The population

600 /2243 peoplefilled out the questionnaire (27%)83% women48,7% aged under 50

General public 52,3%not in medical (24,5%) or in social fields (19,8%).

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16,7%

32%42%

9,3%

AGE

Under 25 years25 to 49 years50 to 74 years75 years or older

What events did they attend?

24.4% Conferences

23% Meetings

52.6% Cultural events 84,4% of the younger group More professionals (61% versus 38,4%).

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14,129,5

45,7 52,8

84,8

61,7

38,522,6

1,08,8 15,8

24,5

Under 25 25 to 49 50 to 74 Over 74

Conferences Cultural Meetings

EVENTS

Questionnaire: INFORMATION

Learn about ADVERY MUCH 56,4%

Identified careVERY MUCH 53,9%

Identified assistance

VERY MUCH 59,4%

Verymuch 56,4%

A little32,9%

Not really10,7%

«Have you learned about AD?"

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Attitudes towards screening

70,2 14,0 15,8

61,9 22,1 3,2 12,8

60,8 23,6 1,1 14,5

Meetings

Cultural

Conferences

Much more A little more Less No change

WILLING to SCREEN

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« Have you changed the way you see people with AD? »

35,7 35,7 28,6

24,6 35,1 40,3

Public

Professionnals

Very changed A little changed Not changed

An important change in 1/3 of the public 39% older group 26% younger group

Also 1/4 of the professionals.

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Reducing Stigma

More inclined to keep contact With a person : 34,8% With a family suffering from AD: 38,6%

Cultural events had the same impact as conferences or meetings with families and professionals.

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Discussion

• MENTAL HEALTH: many campaignsShort term campaigns have shown

positive outcomes in mental health issues (Evans-Lacko et al., 2010).

There are very few campaigns for Alzheimer’s Disease.

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A good impact

1.Information and health literacy was increased

2.Attitudes towards screening progressed

3.Stigma was reduced

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Further AD campaigns

• Use of cultural events –interesting to attract a younger

population• Addressing a general public –also useful for professionals.

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The campaign was financed by the 3rd French Alzheimer Plan.Special thanks to France Alzheimer Haute Vienne.