S2 E4: Dementia Awareness in the Insurance World with Richard Dudley and Chris Park

This podcast episode of 'People in Insurance, Changing the Conversation' Sharon Brown takes the role of host, with guests Richard Dudley, and Chris Park discussing the intersection of the insurance industry with dementia awareness and research efforts. The conversation explores the mission of Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD), initiated in 2017 to leverage industry collaboration for funding and awareness in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society. Key topics include an explanation of dementia and its impact, the importance of early diagnosis, and personal stories that highlight the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by the disease. The discussion also touches on the insurance industry’s fundraising efforts, having raised nearly £10 million, and future goals with IUAD 2.0 to further support Alzheimer’s research institutes and public awareness. The podcast advocates for continued industry support, citing recent developments in treatments like Lecanemab and the need for increased awareness and investment in dementia research globally. It encourages people to participate in initiatives such as the 'Insurance Day for Dementia' to sustain the momentum against this largest killer disease.   Quote of the Episode "Research will beat dementia." - attributed to the associate director of research at the Alzheimer's Society   Key Takeaways Dementia is caused by diseases that physically damage the brain, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause. Early diagnosis of dementia is crucial for providing proper care, support, and potential treatment. The insurance industry, through IUAD, has raised nearly £10 million to support the Alzheimer's Society and dementia research. IUAD funds have supported the UK Dementia Research Institute and crucial services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The insurance industry is well-positioned to support dementia causes due to its collaborative nature and reach. Key Quotes “If you've met one person with dementia, you've met one person with dementia. And this program really shows that you've got people of very different ages, different backgrounds, different demographics, and showing different symptoms and signs of dementia.” – Chris Park “People are dying from it, and I think that we need some education, some experiences shared on that dying process so it's not quite as scary for people when they have to watch their loved ones go through it.” – Sharon Brown “it's the beginning of the end for dementia. The researchers in the field will learn from Lecanumab and they'll learn from these other trials, and we’ll get to a point where the treatments are going to be able to be administered more easily and will be more cost effective and will have also made more of a journey in diagnosis.” – Chris Park “In fact, it's probably the biggest killer in the world. One in three people who are born today are going to develop these diseases: one form of dementia or another.  And the amount of money and attention that is placed on trying to solve that challenge is ridiculously small when you compare it to some of the other bigger killers.” – Richard Dudley   About the Guests Chris Park Chris is the Development Board Lead at Alzheimer’s Society. Leading a small team that work closely with ten senior members of the Insurance industry – who have the objective to raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society projects and awareness of the impact of, and support for, people affected by dementia. Chris and his team work with individuals and organisations from the wider industry under the leadership of the award-winning Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) campaign and senior level volunteer board members. Chris also works with senior figures in the sporting world, who have similar aims, ambitions and motivations to support the cause. Since 2017, the Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) industry led campaign has raised over £9.6mn in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society. This incredible f