Evaluating the effectiveness of the “Dementia Friends” program in Israel on increasing knowledge and reducing stigma about dementia

Background: Dementia is a major global public health challenge, and gaps in public knowledge and stigma impede timely diagnosis and inclusive care. The Dementia Friends program is a brief community intervention to improve dementia knowledge and attitudes, but its effectiveness outside the UK, including Israel, is under-evaluated. Objective: This study examined whether participation in the Israeli Dementia Friends program was associated with changes in dementia-related knowledge and stigma. In addition, we assessed whether perceived susceptibility, familiarity with dementia, and self-perception as a change agent were linked to these changes. Methods: A pre-post research design included 820 participants at baseline (Time 1) and 205 at a three-month follow-up (Time 2). Participants completed questionnaires on subjective and objective dementia knowledge, stigma (emotional reactions and discriminatory behavior), perceived susceptibility, and perceiving oneself as a change agent. Data was analyzed using t-tests, analyses of variance (ANOVA), and regression analyses. Results: Significant increases were found in subjective (p = 0.005) and objective (p = 0.019) dementia knowledge, with improved positive emotional reactions (p = 0.012). Negative emotional reactions decreased (p = 0.05), but discriminatory behavior showed no significant change (p = 0.75). Higher education was most strongly associated with increases in knowledge, and reductions in perceived susceptibility were associated with decreases in negative emotional reactions and discriminatory behavior. Conclusions: Program participation was associated with higher dementia knowledge and more positive emotional responses, though discriminatory behaviors persisted. More comprehensive strategies beyond education are needed to fully address stigma.