ADI is pleased to share that on 19 February 2026, the Ministry of Health of Argentina officially launched its first National Dementia Plan (Plan Nacional de Alzheimer y Trastornos Relacionados), marking a significant turning point in the country’s commitment to improving the lives of those impacted by dementia and monumental achievement for dementia policy in the Americas region.
The newly launched plan is structured around six key pillars designed to create a more resilient and supportive ecosystem for people living with dementia and their caregivers. A vital component of this strategy is its explicit focus on risk reduction, integrating dementia prevention into broader public health strategies for non-communicable diseases.
By addressing shared risk factors, the plan aims to not only support those currently living with the condition but to proactively reduce the incidence rate across the country.
With the number of people living with dementia in Argentina expected to rise from over 400,000 today to nearly 900,000 by 2050, the need for a national policy was urgent.
While welcoming the approval of the National Dementia Plan through ministerial resolution, ADI and its member association Asociación de Lucha contra el Mal de Alzheimer (ALMA) recognise that this represents one important step within a broader and ongoing process.
For several years, ALMA, alongside researchers, policymakers, advocates, and ADI’s regional director for the Americas, Diego Aguilar, have worked consistently toward the development of a comprehensive legislative framework for dementia in Argentina. That legislative process remains active and continues to represent a critical pathway for ensuring long-term sustainability, accountability and cross-sectoral coordination.
ADI and ALMA remain committed to constructively engaging with both the current ministerial framework and the ongoing legislative process, with the shared objective of strengthening Argentina’s public policy response to dementia and ensuring durable impact for people living with the condition and their families.
Looking Ahead
Commenting on this achievement, Diego Aguilar, ADI Regional Director for the Americas, stated:
We welcome the launch of Argentina’s National Dementia Plan as an important step toward strengthening the country’s response to dementia. The development of comprehensive national strategies with a budget is essential to ensure coordinated action across health, social care, and community systems. We look forward to constructive collaboration to support effective implementation, in line with international frameworks and regional best practice.
ADI and our member association ALMA remain fully committed to supporting the Government of Argentina as they move towards implementation. We hope this success inspires further policy advancements in the region and beyond.
