The Alzheimer's Association reports that there are currently 5.3 million people living with Alzheimer's Disease and that every 70 seconds another person is diagnosed with this terminal disease. It is predicted that up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's Disease by the year 2050 and that someone will be diagnosed with the Disease every 33 seconds. Alzheimer's Disease is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States with mortality rates on the rise. The yearly price tag of Alzheimer's Disease? $172 billion per year.
Over the past several years, organizations have been encouraging Congress to take action in the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. Congress has voted, unanimously, to pass the National Alzheimer's Project Act, which creates a plan to combat Alzheimer's Disease with the same intensity as the attacks on cancer and AIDS. The goal of the project is to create a national strategic plan to improve treatments, prevent, and ultimately find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.
If signed in to law by President Obama., the bill would create the National Alzheimer's Project within the Department of Health and Human Services. There would be a plethora of organizations represented on the Project's adisory council as well as health care professionals and family caregivers of those with Alzheimer's Disease.
Your help is needed to have this bill signed in to law by year's end. Please visit the Alzheimer's Association for information on how you can send a message to President Obama.
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