The lifetime risk for Alzheimer's at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, we know more than ever about brain health, risk reduction and ways to live well with the disease. 

During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June, the Alzheimer’s Association and AIM urged everyone to take charge of their brain health and take action in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. 

Science shows us that adopting healthy habits — like getting exercise and good quality sleep — may help reduce the risk of dementia. As many as 40% of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and lack of physical activity. 

Recognizing that there are opportunities for successful public health interventions, Congress took bold action in 2018 by passing the bipartisan Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (P.L.115-406). Thanks to this important law, public health departments across the nation have had the resources to improve brain health across the life course. 

With the law set to expire in September, AIM is calling on Congress to ensure this progress continues. Join us and urge your member of Congress to pass the bipartisan BOLD Reauthorization Act, which will continue strengthening the dementia public health infrastructure in our communities. 

There’s tremendous momentum growing for the passage of the BOLD Reauthorization Act, with 79 House and 31 Senate cosponsors. In addition, many members are showing their support in ways beyond supporting this critical legislation. Last week, Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing June as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.

As Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month comes to an end, we’re looking back at some of these policymakers who showed their purple support. Learn more about how you can go purple and get involved to help achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.