Defeating Dementia is a multiplatform public media initiative led by WETA, the flagship PBS station in the nation’s capital, that aims to bring Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias out of the shadows and into the public discourse at a moment of unprecedented scientific progress. The project will spotlight groundbreaking advances in prevention, early detection, treatment, and care; examine persistent disparities by age, gender, and race; and elevate the voices of individuals and families living with dementia today.
The centerpiece of this project is a 2-hour primetime PBS documentary (broadcast and streaming) in fall 2026/spring 2027, accompanied by 10 original short-form digital films, and a national outreach, education, and engagement campaign. Deliverables include: (1) the national broadcast/streaming; (2) digital shorts distributed via WETA’s public media health initiative, WellBeings.org, and PBS platforms; (3) educational toolkits and resources; (4) engagement and partnership with local PBS stations and national organizations.
These efforts will increase public understanding, reduce stigma, foster empathy, and help audiences navigate emerging solutions, while inspiring a national conversation about one of the most urgent health and economic challenges facing our country.