NAPA's War on Dementia Aims to Cure Alzheimer's by 2025
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EmailWASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) is beginning to bear fruit, triggering the Department of Health and Human Services to release a national American plan to fight Alzheimer’s. The plan includes a goal to stop the disease by 2025. This is a huge milestone, being the first time America as set a national timeframe to stop Alzheimer’s. (NAPA was unanimously passed with full bipartisan support one year ago.)
The draft framework is available for public viewing.
George Vradenburg, chairman of USAgainstAlzheimer’s and a member of the government's Advisory Council, responded to the draft framework:
“This framework marks the first time that the United States has set an aggressive deadline to stop Alzheimer’s disease. Setting a time-based deadline has the great power of sharpening focus, and changing political will as well as the regulatory process.
USAgainstAlzheimer’s has been at the forefront of calling for a deadline to stop Alzheimer’s. The commitment to a 2025 deadline represents a major step forward. We will however continue to advocate for an accelerated 2020 deadline – the date by which the research community believes we can stop Alzheimer’s disease – as this will affect the lives of millions of Americans and save trillions of dollars.
AdvertisementThe war against Polio was won as a direct result of our nation’s commitment to fund research that ultimately led to a cure. We hope that by adopting a bold national plan that includes a committed investment in Alzheimer’s research we can stop this disease by 2020 and relegate it to its proper place – in history.”
The draft plan is structured around five goals:
- Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025;
- Optimize Care Quality and Efficiency;
- Expand Patient and Family Support;
- Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement; and
- Track Progress and Drive Improvement.
The plan offers a comprehensive outline of goals and strategies that must be addressed in the nation’s first-ever strategic plan for Alzheimer’s.
The Department of Health and Human Services outlined its timetable for the development of the national Alzheimer's plan, as follows:
- First draft targeted for mid-February
- Final plan unveiled in late spring.
Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association and member of the Advisory Council, said
"This process is about changing the course of Alzheimer's disease. It is about setting the path for that change right away with an aggressive timeline. Developing an urgent, achievable and accountable strategy for Alzheimer's is about hope for millions of people today and tomorrow. What we need now is a meaningful plan with appropriate resources that, when fully implemented, will bring us from possibility to reality."
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More Information
For more information about USAgainstAlzheimer’s work, or to contact George Vradenburg, please contact Kyle Moler, kmoler@mrss.com.
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USAgainstAlzheimer’s is a national advocacy campaign and advocacy network committed to stopping Alzheimer’s by 2020. An independent non-profit organization working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s community, USAgainstAlzheimer’s works to advance policies and elect candidates dedicated to stopping the disease by supporting research for a cure. For more information about USAgainstAlzheimer’s, visit http://www.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer 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 www.alz.org.
Contact: Alzheimer's Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
E-mail: media@alz.org
