On 28 April 2026, the Italian Embassy in Sweden celebrated the IX Italian Research Day in the World (GRIM2026), dedicated this year to studies on aging and the prevention of diseases of the elderly, a strategic research area interdisciplinary, fundamental both in Italy and Sweden. Current demographic changes make it a priority research area, particularly in Sweden as 20% of its population is over 65 and with one of the highest life expectancies, similarly to Italy. Both conditions create pressure on the healthcare system, long-term care, pensions and welfare.
Three internationally recognized researchers working at the Karolinska Institutet, a leading institution in this research, were invited to contribute the event hosted at the Embassy: Prof. Laura Fratiglioni who presented her research on prevention as a treatment for dementia, Prof. Bengt Winblad who discussed treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and Prof. Maria Eriksdotter who showed how the creation and use of modern databases can help in the study of the progression of dementia, her treatment and care of patients.
These three experts have contributed in an original and unique way to the understanding of risk factors and prevention of diseases in old age by developing innovative methodologies. In particular, Prof. Laura Fratiglioni, a world expert in the field of aging. After graduating in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Florence in 1977, she obtained a PhD from the Karolinska Institutet. In 2000 she was appointed Professor of Geriatric Epidemiology and was then director of the Swedish Aging Research Center. Today she leads the “National E-Infrastructure on Aging Research” (NEAR), an institution that coordinates eight Swedish universities with the aim of generating big data for geriatric research. She has been coordinator of many projects stimulating and leading the European scientific research in the field of aging. Due to her scientific promotion capabilities, her commitment and passion, she has contributed to the professional growth of tens Swedish and Italian researchers, some of whom have returned to our country taking on prestigious roles, and given a great visibility and prestige to the aging research in Italy. Winner of prestigious international awards in neuroscience, gerontology and public health, she has continuously promoted a positive approach to aging, validating the use of new clinical prognostic tools capable of overcoming the concept of disease per se, and above all the negative meaning of aging. In 2024 her contribution was fundamental to the drafting of the “Carta di Firenze”, an international manifesto against aging and the stigmatization of the elderly in healthcare. For all these reasons, at the end of the GRIM2026, Ambassador Pala awarded Prof. Fratiglioni the honor of “Knight” of the Order of the Star of Italy.
