Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer's Impact Movement Call to Congress to Increase Alzheimer’s Researching Funding at the NIH by $400 Million Answered

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2017 – Today, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) are celebrating the announcement that Congress will pass a $400 million increase for Alzheimer’s research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the FY2017 budget. This marks the second consecutive year that Congress has approved a historic funding increase for Alzheimer’s.

“The Alzheimer’s Association, our sister organization the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement and our network of dedicated advocates have worked tirelessly with leaders in Congress to make Alzheimer’s a national priority,” said Alzheimer’s Association and AIM President and CEO Harry Johns. “On behalf of the more than 5 million Americans living with this devastating disease and their more than 15 million caregivers, we are grateful to Congress for taking decisive action in the fight to end Alzheimer’s.”

This bipartisan effort was spearheaded by Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and by House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.), and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.).

Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, slowed or cured, and leading independent researchers have determined it has become the nation’s most expensive disease, with costs for this year alone projected to be $259 billion. In 2016, for every $100 the U.S. government spent on Alzheimer’s research it spent $16,000 in Medicare and Medicaid costs caring for individuals living with this fatal disease. When the $400 million increase is signed into law later this week, Alzheimer’s research funding at the NIH will be nearly $1.4 billion. Leading experts have said this FY2017 increase was needed to remain on track to meet the first goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s — to effectively treat and prevent Alzheimer’s by 2025.

The Alzheimer’s Association International Research Grant Program (formerly Web of Science), 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, 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.

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.

Alzheimer's Impact Movement

The Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) is a separately incorporated advocacy affiliate of the Alzheimer's Association. AIM works to develop and advance policies to overcome Alzheimer's disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. For more information, visit alzimpact.org.

Contact:

Laura Cilmi, 202.638.8673, [email protected]