A statement released by The Obama Administration claims there are going to be new measures taken against battling Alzheimer’s disease. One of these efforts includes a $50 million increase in the amount of money that will be used towards new, advanced research. Also, the administration says their Fiscal Year 2013 budget will increase by $80 million for Alzheimer’s exploration. The announcement adds that a $26 million increase will be made in terms of provider education, public awareness, advances in data infrastructure, and care-giver support.
The National Alzheimer’s Project Act, which was signed by President Obama in January 2011, states the need for a comprehensive course of action in regards to Alzheimer’s.
Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary announces:
“Today’s announcement reflects the administration’s commitment to confronting Alzheimer’s, a disease that takes a devastating toll on millions of Americans. We can’t wait to act; reducing the burden of Alzheimer’s disease on patients and their families is an urgent national priority.”
At present, 5.4 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s, a permanent brain disorder which, whether slowly or rapidly, deteriorates memory and the ability to think accurately, and there are no drugs to treat the disease from progressing. However, there are available drugs to treat the symptoms. By 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s could increase two-fold, due to the aging population.
Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D, of the Natitional Institute of Health (NIH) says:
“The projections are simply staggering. This new funding will accelerate NIH’s effort to use the power of science to develop new ways of helping people with Alzheimer’s disease and those at risk.”
The fiscal years 2012 and 2013 will total an incredible $130 million toward the discovery of new Alzheimer’s treatment, which is more than a 25% increase from the present yearly Alzheimer’s research budget.
HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging, Kathy Greenlee concludes:
“These new funds will help increase our understanding about how to manage Alzheimer’s disease, especially those services that allow families to plan in the early stages and support family caregivers.”
Until now, the research for Alzheimer’s has not been remotely close to that of other deadly diseases, with the NIH annually spending $4 billion on heart disease, and nearly $6 billion for research on cancer.
Written By Christine Kearney