WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 2017 - The Alzheimer's Association, the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) and its nationwide network of advocates applaud Congress for hearing their call and taking action in the fight to end Alzheimer's. Today, a $400 million increase in Alzheimer's research funding was signed into law, increasing federal funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to nearly $1.4 billion. After years of stagnant funding, this is the second year in a row the Alzheimer's Association request for historic funding increases has been acted on by our federal leaders.
"The Alzheimer's Association and our sister organization, the Alzheimer's Impact Movement, represent millions of families facing Alzheimer's disease, and we know firsthand the importance of investing in research to advance faster against this deadly disease," said Harry Johns, Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Impact Movement president and CEO. "This is the latest in a series of policy victories in the fight to end Alzheimer's, but more work remains. As the leading voice for those affected by the disease, the Alzheimer's Association, AIM and our advocates will continue to work with Congress to ensure continued bipartisan support for urgently needed research funding increases and access to necessary care and support services."
Today, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. An additional 15 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for individuals living with the disease.
Already the nation's most expensive disease - at a cost of $259 billion in 2017 - 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. Today, funding for Alzheimer's research at the NIH is under $1.4 billion per year. Leading experts have said a greater investment is still needed if we are to stay on the path to preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's by 2025.
Demonstrating the urgency of this crisis, the NIH Professional Judgment Budget commissioned by Congress has already recommended a $414 million increase in spending on Alzheimer's disease research for fiscal year 2018.
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.
