Alzheimer’s Association statement on increased funding for the National Institutes of Health

The Alzheimer’s Association applauds the decision of the House and Senate conferees on the Labor, HHS and Education appropriations bill to boost funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) beyond both the House and Senate-passed levels. This marks a long overdue step in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, which affects as many as 5 million Americans today and threatens to strike up to 16 million by mid-century.

Led by chairmen Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and ranking members Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Rep. James Walsh (R-N.Y.), this legislation recognizes how important increased funding for the NIH is to scientific advancements that could end Alzheimer’s disease and other life threatening illnesses. The funding level agreed to is $29.799 billion for all of NIH, an increase of approximately 3.1 percent. This would translate to a $16 million increase for Alzheimer research. While this falls short of what the Alzheimer’s Association has been fighting for, it nonetheless exceeds the levels originally requested by the president as well as the House and Senate appropriations bills.

The proposed increase would reverse four years of steady decline in the nation’s research investment. Although the president has vowed to veto any appropriations bill that exceeds his request, the Alzheimer’s Association urges Congress to show its overwhelming support for this important legislation in the hopes of convincing the president to change his mind. New treatments, better diagnosis and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease could save millions of baby boomers from the disease and yield $61 billion in annual Medicare and Medicaid savings within five years of a breakthrough.

Alzheimer’s is not normal aging; it is a progressive and fatal disease. Seventy-eight million baby boomers will soon reach the age where they are at risk for the disease. We stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. Alzheimer’s disease poses tremendous human, social and economic burdens on the country as a whole and is a challenge to us all. To accelerate the fight against Alzheimer’s, we need increased research funding now.

About the 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.

Contact:
Toni Williams
Alzheimer’s Association
202.638.8666