WASHINGTON, D.C., July 19, 2017 - Today the House Appropriations Committee approved an additional $400 million increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research for the fiscal year 2018 budget. The Alzheimer's Association, the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM), and its advocates applaud the House Appropriations Committee for once again approving a significant increase for Alzheimer's disease research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This bipartisan proposal was led by House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.). House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghusyen (R-N.J.) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), as well as Labor-HHS Subcommittee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), played a critical role in today's announcement.
"We are pleased Congress recognizes the large human and financial toll this fatal disease has on our nation, and continues to take decisive action in the fight to end Alzheimer's," said Alzheimer's Association and AIM President and CEO Harry Johns.
Today, more than 5 million people are living with Alzheimer's. Without medical breakthroughs, the Alzheimer's Association estimates that by mid-century the number of people with the disease is set to nearly triple, and the costs of Alzheimer's are projected to more than quadruple to $1.1 trillion. Research is the only option to one day prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's.
"With soaring prevalence, lack of treatment, and enormous costs, Alzheimer's disease is a crippling triple threat unlike any other disease," said Johns. "In order for us to change the current trajectory of the disease so that we can save lives and money, we need consistent and meaningful investments in Alzheimer's research from the federal government."
Alzheimer's is the most expensive disease in the country at an estimated cost of $259 billion in 2017, with $175 billion of those costs borne by Medicare and Medicaid. Following an historic increase of $400 million for fiscal year 2017, Alzheimer's and related dementia research funding at the NIH is now $1.4 billion.
The Alzheimer's Association International Research Grant Program, through philanthropic support, has committed over $385 million to more than 2,500 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 in overall impact behind only the Chinese and United States 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.
