WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2018 - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it is requesting a $477.7 million increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research funding for fiscal year 2020. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services, where the NIH released its professional judgement budget.
This is the fourth professional judgement budget for Alzheimer's released by the NIH. In 2014, the Alzheimer's Association and AIM secured support for the passage of the Alzheimer's Accountability Act, which ensures Congress hears directly from NIH scientists on the resources needed to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's by 2025. Alzheimer's is only the third disease to have a professional judgement budget.
"This increase builds on the momentum we have made in recent years to make Alzheimer's a national priority," said Robert Egge, Alzheimer's Association Chief Public Policy Officer and AIM Executive Director. "Since the passage of the National Alzheimer's Project Act Congress has quadrupled funding for the disease and an additional $425 million increase is pending for fiscal year 2019."
Today funding is at $1.9 billion annually. These increases have enabled scientists across the country to explore new areas of research. As a result, researchers are advancing the understanding of the disease, exploring biomarkers, discovering potential ways to reduce risk, and are working to move promising therapeutic candidates and diagnostic tools forward into clinical testing.
"Reflecting from the halfway mark to that 2025 goal, we recognize more clearly than ever that Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are complex and intractable foes. Yet our scientific capabilities and momentum are growing rapidly," wrote NIH Director, Dr. Francis Collins in the budget. "We are closing in on the research advances that may ultimately contribute to an end to a public health crisis that has penetrated the nation and the world in a way that few other conditions have."
Today, 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. It is the most expensive disease in the nation costing $277 billion - including $186 billion in Medicare and Medicaid payments - in 2018. It is only through increased research funding scientists can explore innovative treatments and diagnostics that can lead to better treatments, preventions and one day a cure.
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.
