WASHINGTON, D.C., September 6, 2017 - Today, the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Subcommittee proposed a $414 million increase for Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year 2018. This announcement comes following similar action by the House Appropriations Committee in July. The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to act on the funding bill next week.
"The Subcommittee's proposed increase represents a significant commitment in the fight to end Alzheimer's," said Harry Johns, Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) President and CEO. "If signed into law, this additional funding will help ensure the NIH can continue to invest in new research to accelerate advancements toward treatments, prevention and ultimately a cure for Alzheimer's and other causes of dementia."
The Alzheimer's Association and AIM commend Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) for their steadfast dedication to again ensure our nation's most expensive condition receives the funding leading scientists say is needed in order to achieve breakthroughs. Leading experts have said a greater investment is still needed if we are to stay on the path to meet the first goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease - preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's by 2025.
The proposed $414 million increase is consistent with the NIH's request for additional Alzheimer's and related dementia funding submitted in the second annual Professional Judgement Budget. Since the beginning of the year, the Alzheimer's Association, AIM and our network of advocates have held thousands of meetings with members and their staff requesting they invest at least an additional $414 million in Alzheimer's research funding.
At an estimated cost of $259 billion annually - including $175 billion in Medicare and Medicaid payments - Alzheimer's is the most expensive disease in the country. It is also the only leading cause of death in the U.S. that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. In 2017, for every $100 the U.S. government spends on Alzheimer's research, it will spend $12,500 in Medicare and Medicaid costs caring for individuals living with this fatal disease.
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.
