For the first time, a United Nations declaration is pledging to address dementia.

On Thursday, world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in New York are laying out a new plan for combatting mental health challenges and non-communicable diseases. While their political declaration emphasizes conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, it also mentions neurological conditions like dementia.

"It's historical for us. It's a real watershed moment," says Paola Barbarino , CEO of Alzheimer's Disease International, the advocacy group with members in 105 countries.

She said the inclusion of dementia is particularly significant for lower-income countries, many of which are still in "denial" about the condition.

Even in high-income countries where dementia gets attention, like th

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