Dementia should be a campaign issue, not a political insult, says expert

Jason Karlawish, a professor at Penn and co‑director of the Penn Memory Center, argues that dementia deserves serious policy focus during the upcoming election.

He notes that about 7.1 million Americans live with dementia and roughly 12 million family members provide unpaid care, creating substantial emotional and financial strain.

Karlawish criticizes both parties for using the term as a derogatory label against opponents, rather than addressing the growing health and economic burden.

He calls on candidates to make dementia a concrete campaign issue, proposing that clear strategies and funding are needed to support patients and caregivers as the population ages.