NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upon the passage of the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Healthy and Human Services (HHS) budget with an additional $425 million designated for Alzheimer’s disease research—bringing the federal funding to fight Alzheimer’s to a total of $2.34 billion—The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) issued the following statement from Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO:
“AFA applauds Congress and the Administration for recognizing the importance of putting Alzheimer’s front and center and doing so at an unprecedented level. AFA expresses much gratitude on behalf of all of our nation’s families to members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committee who worked so hard to accomplish this significant development.”
“The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease calls for a cure or disease modifying treatment by 2025 and this funding gets us on a viable path toward putting this goal within the realm of possible. Maintaining the status quo when it comes to Alzheimer’s is not an option.”
More than 5 million Americans today are living with Alzheimer’s disease and it is the only leading cause of death with no cure or treatment. As American Baby Boomers age, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple the financial burden of Alzheimer’s disease on the United States, skyrocketing from approximately $307 billion annually to $1.5 trillion.
About Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA):
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a non-profit organization that unites more than 2,600 member organizations nationwide in the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals living with dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, the National Memory Screening Program, educational conferences and materials and “AFA Partners in Care” dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn.
CONTACT:
Sandy Silverstein
866-232-8484 x126
ssilverstein@alzfdn.org