The Alzheimer's Association is the largest private contributor to Alzheimer's disease research. Since 1982, the Alzheimer's Association has granted more than $220 million in research grants.

But this is one place where only government can make the essential difference.

The Alzheimer's Association calls on Congress to appropriate $1 billion for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health.

As baby boomers enter the age of greatest risk, Alzheimer's disease will become the public health crisis of the 21st century. Every 71 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease. The total with the disease will explode from an estimated 5 million today to as many as 16 million by 2050.

If our elected officials are serious about saving our health care system and controlling the costs of Medicare and Medicaid, they have no choice but to increase — immediately and substantially — their investment in Alzheimer research.

The research goals are clear and attainable:

• To prevent onset of disease in those who are at risk but not yet afflicted, and

• To treat and delay progression of the disease in those who already have the symptoms.
  

What we are doing

Through our close collaboration with the National Institute on Aging (NIA), we are bringing together scientists to share ideas, strategies and information to advance the field of Alzheimer research and to continue to attract the best young minds to the field.

The NIA is ready to embark on exciting new initiatives in the imaging and genetics of Alzheimer's disease, making it possible to do research faster and long before symptoms appear. These and other promising initiatives will cost money in the short run.

The Alzheimer's Association is mobilizing our advocacy efforts in support of $1 billion for Alzheimer's disease research at NIA. We have testified before the Senate Labor/HHS Appropriations subcommittee and have rallied our advocates to carry our research message to their representatives in Congress.

We must act now

We have 10 years at most to prevent disaster. If we miss that chance, Alzheimer's will bankrupt family, state and federal budgets as millions of baby boomers succumb to the disease. The investment in research is well worth the cost and the payoff will be enormous.