Washington Takes Aim with the National Alzheimer's Project Act
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President Barack Hussein Obama II signed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) into law. NAPA creates the United States' first coordinated national strategy to confront dementias such as Alzheimer’s.Dementias such as Alzheimer's will only plague more baby boomers as they age. Given the scale of the Alzheimer epidemic and the growing number of Americans directly affected every single day, NAPA will provide an essential framework within the government that recognizes the Alzheimer crisis is no longer emerging but is here.
The Alzheimer's Association was a strong advocate of this new legislation. Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO, commented,
“The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased that a much needed plan will now be put into place to address the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, currently the sixth-leading cause of death in this country. In fact, among the 10 leading causes of death, it is by far the fastest growing — increasing more than 50 percent from 2000 to 2007. Given the devastation experienced by millions of families because of this disease and the staggering economic costs, particularly to Medicare and Medicaid, we must have an effective strategy now. The fact that Alzheimer’s is the only one of the top 10 causes of death without a way to prevent, cure or even slow it underscores the critical need for the swift, aggressive implementation of this legislation.”
The Office of the National Alzheimer's Project has 6 goals:
- Accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt, or reverse the course of Alzheimer's;
- Create and maintain an integrated national plan to overcome Alzheimer's;
- Help to coordinate the health care and treatment of citizens with Alzheimer's;
- Ensure the inclusion of ethnic and racial populations that are at higher risk for Alzheimer's or that are least likely to receive care in clinical, research, and service efforts with the purpose of decreasing health disparities;
- Coordinate with international bodies to integrate and inform the fight against Alzheimer's globally; and
- Provide information and coordination of Alzheimer's research and services across all federal agencies.
The most instrumental body in triggering the success of this legislation was the Alzheimer’s Study Group, an independent, bipartisan panel created to evaluate the government’s current efforts to combat dementia. (To read more about the Alzheimer's Study Group, click here.)
NAPA is also the fruit of years of advocacy by key organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association. Robert J. Egge, Alzheimer’s Association vice president of public policy, had this to say:
“Beyond the human impact on families which cannot be underestimated, the economic burden — with total care costs escalating from $172 billion today to more than $1 trillion by 2050 — are significant as well. Alzheimer’s leaves American families, Medicare, Medicaid and our healthcare system defenseless against skyrocketing costs, and it leaves each of us vulnerable to the wide-ranging effects of this devastating disease. We need transformative, cost-effective strategic solutions to tackle a national public health emergency with widespread social and economic consequences. NAPA will help to put the nation on the right track and we commend the Obama administration for recognizing this.”
Dementia & Alzheimer's Weekly stands with organizations such as The Alzheimer’s Association and millions of Alzheimer families in thanking President Barack Hussein Obama II for signing this legislation into law. We all look forward to working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fulfill the promise of NAPA.
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![Senator Evan Bayh](http://alzheimersweekly.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/100w/image/article/2010/692a.jpg "“Creating the National Alzheimer’s Project Office will ensure we get better research."")
More Information
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the 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.
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I hope this helps,
Dina