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Summer '07
Newsletter
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June 12, 2006
At a time when
only the mortality rate from Alzheimer’s disease is increasing among the top 10
causes of death, President Bush has proposed eliminating more than $20 million
in grants for national and state Alzheimer’s programs next year. Budget battles
are an annual rite in Washington, and in this case, the sum isn’t much in a
$2.77 trillion budget.
The current administration continues to exploit the fears of Americans by
creating and funding non-existent or low probability scenarios such as a bird
flu pandemic. Meanwhile, they continue to ignore and cut funding for real
epidemics that are currently on the rise, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
We are facing a rapidly growing aging population, led by the massive baby boomer
generation. With that comes an increase in the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease
at a cost of billions of dollars annually to the government, families and the
economy. Investing in research now could have a huge payoff. Advances are also
needed in programs to help patients and caregivers cope with the debilitating
brain disorder that impairs memory, thinking, learning, and communication.
While cuts to support and helpline programs are disturbing and will likely shift
the financial burden to local governments through increased 911 calls, they are
not as worrisome as the proposed $7 million reduction for medical research.
Federal spending on Alzheimer’s research has risen sharply since 1990, from $146
million to $652 million. This move would trim federal research support, marking
the second such reduction in the past 11 years.
The amount spent now is a fraction of what is needed. About 4.5 million people
have Alzheimer’s. That figure is expected to rise as high as 16 million by 2050.
Alzheimer’s patients cost Medicare $91 billion, and costs businesses, through
worker absences, and families billions more.
In comparison, the federal government spends nearly $5 billion on research into
cancer, which affects more than 10 million people.
On June 7th, the House Labor/Health & Human Services(HHS) / Education
Appropriations Subcommittee voted to CUT Alzheimer's research funding .
We have one last chance to change the minds of the US House. On June 13th, the
House Appropriations Committee will vote on whether to approve the
Subcommittee's spending bill. The Subcommittee's bill (no bill number at this
time) cuts the federal government's investment in Alzheimer's research by $7
million.
The House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Representative Jerry Lewis (CA),
will vote on the Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill next week. Chairman
Lewis must hear how disappointed advocates are about the cuts to Alzheimer's
research funding.
Contact your Representative in Washington, DC and tell him/her to contact Rep.
Jerry Lewis and urge him to reject the proposed cuts and increase Alzheimer's
research funding by $60 million.
Calls are needed by 5:00 pm EDT on June 12th. Call (202) 224.3121 and ask for
your Representative. If you do not know the name of your Representative, go to
http://www.house.gov/ and enter your five digit zip code, plus four digit
extension.
Tell your Representative:
-
That you are extremely
disappointed in the cuts to Alzheimer's research funding
in the House Labor/HHS/ Education Appropriations
Subcommittee bill;
-
To contact Rep. Jerry Lewis
and urge him to reject the proposed cuts to NIH and
increase funding for Alzheimer's research by $60
million;
Remember to mention your name,
home address and zip code.
Please forward this ALERT to friends, family and colleagues.
May 1, 2006
Alzheimer's theory set
for drug test
A provocative new theory suggests that one root
cause of Alzheimer's disease is linked to diabetes –
a theory about to be tested in thousands of
Alzheimer patients given the diabetes drug Avandia
in hopes of slowing brain decay.
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Read the entire article at:
www.seattlepi.com
April 30, 2006
The brain: Waste not,
want not
Many scientists are expanding upon the traditional
concept of exercise, moving beyond big biceps and
brawny backs to focus on perhaps the most important
organ in the human body: the brain.
- Forbes.com
Read the entire article at:
www.forbes.com
April 28, 2006
New initiative to speed
safe drug development
The Alzheimer’s Association has announced a new
initiative to elevate the urgency of Alzheimer’s and
ensure that safe treatments are developed, tested
and made available to the public as quickly as
possible.
- Alzheimer's Association news release
Read the entire release at:
www.alz.org
April 25, 2006
Disparity in disease
More work must be done to overcome the cultural
differences that restrict Alzheimer's diagnosis and
care in blacks, medical authorities say.
- The Birmingham News
Read the entire article at:
www.al.com
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