In a letter to a Senate spending panel, U.S. Senator Susan Collins led a bipartisan group of 16 senators in requesting $1.017 billion for critical Alzheimer’s disease programs and research. Funding would go programs at the National Institutes of Health, the Administration on Aging, and the Centers for Disease Control.
At present, 5.1 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Also, there are over 37 million Americans over the age of 65, and this demographic is growing at a faster rate than any other population group. One in ten Americans over 65 and nearly half of those over the age of 85 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Over the next two decades, as the Baby Boom retires, more than 75 million Americans will enter the ages of the highest risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, Alzheimer’s disease costs the United States approximately $150 billion per year, primarily in nursing home and other long-term care costs. As America’s Baby Boomers enter the ages of highest risk, this number will increase dramatically. A recent study concluded that if scientists could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by even five years, America would save over $60 billion per year in disease-related costs.
“Alzheimer’s is a tragic disease and we must do all we can to end its scourge,” said Senator Collins. “The funding requested by myself and my colleagues would greatly benefit those living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers, and the researchers aiming to make Alzheimer’s history. Congress must continue to take a strong stand against Alzheimer’s.”
Senator Collins is co-chair of the Senate Alzheimer’s Task Force.
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