Opinion: Dementia Should Be a Campaign Issue, Not an Insult

Medical columnist Jason Karlawish examines how politicians' language about dementia can harm patients and families affected by the disease. The piece questions the current discourse around dementia in political campaigns and advocates for more respectful, substantive discussion of this serious neurological condition. Karlawish explores the negative impacts of using dementia-related terms as political insults and proposes how candidates should instead address dementia as a significant public health priority. This opinion highlights the need for dignified conversation about cognitive decline in political spheres.

Originally published on
STAT News
By Jason Karlawish
Read full article(opens in new tab)Fetched: September 16, 2026 at 10:01 AM



