To ensure future treatments and means of prevention are effective in all populations, Alzheimer’s and other dementia research must be reflective of all Americans. During the 117th Congress, advocates grew support for the bipartisan Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials (ENACT) Act (S. 1548 / H.R. 3085), which will advance this goal. 

The ENACT Act will increase the participation of underrepresented populations in Alzheimer’s and other dementia clinical trials by expanding education and outreach to these populations, encouraging the diversity of clinical trial staff, and reducing participation burden, among other priorities. The underrepresentation of these populations not only hinders the ability of researchers to understand health disparities, it also restricts their knowledge of how an approved therapy or diagnostic may affect the populations most likely to need the treatment.