WASHINGTON, D.C., March 21, 2018 - The Alzheimer's Association and its advocacy arm, the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM), are celebrating the decision by Congress to include a $414 million increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the FY2018 budget.
When the $414 million increase is signed into law, Alzheimer's and dementia research funding at the NIH will reach $1.8 billion. The $414 million increase was consistent with the Alzheimer's Bypass Budget issued by the NIH, and was advocated for by the Alzheimer's Association and AIM.
"For the third consecutive fiscal year, Congress has approved the Alzheimer's Association's appeal for a historic funding increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research at the NIH," said Alzheimer's Association and AIM President and CEO Harry Johns. "This decision demonstrates Congress is deeply committed to providing the Alzheimer's and dementia science community with the resources needed to move research forward."
Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. The nation's leading researchers have said continued significant investments are still needed if we are to meet the first goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's - to effectively treat and prevent Alzheimer's by 2025.
This bipartisan effort was led by Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and by House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.).
The Alzheimer's Association International Research Grant Program, through private sector philanthropic support, has invested over $405 million in more than 2,600 best-of-field grant proposals, leading to field-changing advances. According to Thomson Reuters InCites (formerly Web of Science), the Alzheimer's Association ranks as the highest impact nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's disease research in the world, ranking behind only the Chinese and U.S. governments.
Alzheimer's Association ®
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit alz.org.
