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California Alzheimer’s Association Applauds Governor Gavin Newsom’s Commitment to Alzheimer’s Prevention & Preparedness in Annual State of the State Address

California Alzheimer’s Association Applauds Governor Gavin Newsom’s Commitment to Alzheimer’s Prevention & Preparedness in Annual State of the State Address
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February 14, 2019
Media Line: 408.701.7175
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California Alzheimer’s Association Applauds Governor Gavin Newsom’s Commitment to Alzheimer’s Prevention & Preparedness in Annual State of the State Address
—Association promotes comprehensive “California Healthy Brain Initiative” to increase Alzheimer’s awareness and timely diagnosis—
 
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Alzheimer’s Association offices statewide today applauded Governor Gavin Newsom for prioritizing Alzheimer’s prevention and preparedness in his first State of the State address Tuesday. Governor Newsom claimed: “Too many of us have seen the crushing grip this disease has on our loved ones – and especially on our wives and mothers – two-thirds of new Alzheimer’s cases are women. Today, I am launching the Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force, bringing the most renowned scientists and thinkers together to develop first-of-its-kind research in this area. It will be headed by a leading advocate for families dealing with Alzheimer’s -- our former first lady, Maria Shriver. ”

The Alzheimer’s Association state government affairs director, Susan DeMarois, celebrated the news: “We’re thrilled that the Governor has prioritized Alzheimer’s prevention and preparedness, taking leadership in California - by far the state with the largest number of people living with or caring for a loved one with dementia in the nation.”

With age the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, California is ill equipped to meet the physical, emotional and financial needs of this fast-growing population – slated to increase by 29 percent by 2025 when 840,000 Californians will live with the disease.  

The Alzheimer’s Association is supporting the comprehensive “California Healthy Brain Initiative” to increase Alzheimer’s awareness and timely diagnosis introduced by Assemblymember Monique Limón as AB 388.  Below are key components of this bold plan. More details can be found at the Centers for Disease Control.
 
  1. Initiate California’s first statewide Alzheimer’s public awareness campaign and fund pilot projects in 8 local public health departments – a $10 million one-time state General Fund investment.
  2. Combine this one-time investment with the Governor’s January 10 budget proposal to launch a new public health approach for Alzheimer’s [$10 million for public awareness and county pilot projects + $3 million for the Governor’s research proposal and a new Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force led by Maria Shriver = $13 million]
  3. This comprehensive approach will raise public awareness to improve early detection and timely diagnosis – half of all persons with Alzheimer’s have NOT been diagnosed!
  4. This investment will bring desperately needed resources to county public health departments to begin local work developing community-based solutions for patients and families, especially those who are at greatest risk, women and communities of color
  5. The 8 pilot projects will develop standards and encourage local innovation, foster best practices and develop community-based solutions – solutions our entire state can learn from to better plan and prepare for the future
  6. This small investment of millions, will save billions
Continued DeMarois: “We are thrilled that the Governor has made addressing Alzheimer’s a cornerstone of his policy priorities and we are committed to working with the Administration and Legislators to make real progress this year. For a modest investment, we can make great strides improving the lives of persons and their families coping with this tragic disease.”

About Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the nation’s largest public health crises. It is the third-leading cause of death in California and the only one among the top ten that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. In 2018, Alzheimer’s and other dementias cost the nation $277 billion.
 

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

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