Implications of the Impact Survey for payors across Europe

People involved with development of health care policy must be appreciative of the social and economic challenges that will likely develop as a result of the rise in Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the 21st century progresses. Their attitudes, perceptions and understanding regarding AD were captured in the IMPACT survey, a 30-minute Web-based questionnaire. Fifty health policy managers and decision-makers (payors) were recruited, 10 each from 5 European countries--France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Most payors felt that AD was underdiagnosed and undertreated in their country (80% and 68%, respectively). Half of all payors felt that their government did not invest enough in treating AD, and 30% felt their government hindered access to drug therapy. Payors believed that treatment should be initiated as early as possible after a diagnosis of AD (82%), and that early treatment can delay progression of the disease (82%). Even more than caregivers, payors agreed that AD can have devastating effects on the family of the sufferer (90% vs 75%; P<0.05). Payors more often cited cancer, stroke and heart disease than AD as affecting their budgets, but cited AD more often than depression, diabetes, HIV/AIDs and arthritis. Cost savings were seen as the most important factor regarding policy decisions. These attitudes of the surveyed payors towards AD and the patients and caregivers affected by it suggest that they may advocate for national and international policies that will facilitate earlier diagnosis and improved access to treatment.