The National Alzheimer’s Project Act

Over a decade ago, after working with our advocates and bipartisan congressional champions, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) (P.L. 111-375) was signed into law. This landmark law has led the way for additional policy victories, including the first National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, with the goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's by 2025. In addition to the creation of the National Plan, NAPA also directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create and convene the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services to oversee implementation of the National Plan.

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Over the years, there have been additional achievements that have all been supported by the National Plan and Advisory Council. These include the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (P.L 115-406), the Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act, the Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act (P.L. 116-252), and the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act.

Prior to NAPA, there was no comprehensive plan to address Alzheimer’s, the only leading cause of death with no effective treatment or prevention. In 2010, for every dollar the federal government spent on the cost of Alzheimer’s care, it invested less than a penny on research for the disease.

Since NAPA, we have secured vital, unprecedented federal research funding increases, initiated development of crucial public health infrastructure and improved access to quality care. Thanks to our hardworking advocates across the nation, AIM is leading the way to enact laws like NAPA, which fundamentally changed the way the nation addresses Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

While we have much more yet to accomplish, we can join with our advocacy network to celebrate the significant progress built on NAPA.