BOND CONTINUES TO RAISE ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS
Senator Stresses the Importance of a Solution on World Alzheimer’s Day
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September 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In light of new data released that an estimated 35 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, U.S. Senator Kit Bond today stressed the importance of the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2009 and recognized World Alzheimer’s Day to raise awareness about the disease and its impact on families and communities around the world.
“Today is World Alzheimer’s Day, a day when the individuals and families affected by this devastating disease around the globe unite to increase understanding about the disease and impact,” said Bond. “Unfortunately as this disease continues to steal an ever growing number of memories, and ultimately lives, this global recognition continues to grow in importance.”
According to new data released today in the 2009 World Alzheimer Report, the amount of people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia increased by 10 percent over the last four years. Experts predict that this number will nearly double every 20 years, to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050. In the U.S., someone develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds and the healthcare costs associated with dementia are three times higher than people the same age without the disease.
To help combat this epidemic, Bond worked with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) to reintroduce the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act, which supports Alzheimer’s research, cures and treatments. Specifically, the Alzheimer’s bill will:
- dramatically increase funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institute of Health (NIH). The increase will give researchers the resources they need to make breakthroughs that are on the horizon in diagnosis, prevention and intervention.
- establish a National Summit on Alzheimer’s disease to bring together the best researchers, policymakers and public health professionals to identify priorities for moving forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s and look at the most promising breakthroughs.
- expand the Alzheimer’s 24/7 call center and provide updated news, resources and tools for caregivers, families and physicians. The call center will have a multilingual capacity.
- expand the Alzheimer’s State Matching Grant Program.
“We can’t afford to wait another five years to pass this bill,” said Bond. “I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me and Senator Mikulski in our fight against this terrible disease and cosponsor the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act.”
A bipartisan companion Alzheimer’s bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) in July. Bond and Mikulski first introduced the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act in 2004 to honor former President Ronald Reagan’s courageous decision to go public with his suffering with Alzheimer’s. For more information on Alzheimer’s, please visit http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_figures.asp.
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