The Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) — a separately incorporated advocacy affiliate of the Association — work tirelessly at the federal, state and local government levels to ensure policymakers focus on Alzheimer's and dementia issues. Core to this effort is ensuring that solutions from lawmakers help everyone impacted by this devastating disease to enhance health equity for all.

The Association is actively working to lift up the voices of all people affected by Alzheimer's and other dementia. Our grassroots advocates share their personal stories with policymakers, driving them to make addressing dementia a priority.

2024 was a pivotal year in the fight against Alzheimer's and other dementia, with the Association advancing bipartisan federal legislation to renew our nation's commitment to the cause for years to come. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of advocates and bipartisan congressional champions, three Association/AIM priority bills encompassing policies that advance healthy equity passed unanimously and were signed into law: the NAPA Reauthorization Act (P.L. 118-92), the Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act (P.L. 118-93) and the BOLD Reauthorization Act (P.L. 118-142).

NAPA Reauthorization Act and Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act

The NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act emphasize the importance of diversity in dementia research to ensure the inclusion of underrepresented populations in clinical trials and care initiatives, aiming to reduce health disparities in Alzheimer's and dementia and to make sure that research reflects the broader population affected by the disease.

BOLD Reauthorization Act 

Initially signed into law in 2018, the BOLD Act and its 2024 reauthorization created an Alzheimer's public health infrastructure across the country to implement effective Alzheimer's interventions focused on public health.

The Bold Act:

• Provides funding to state, local and tribal public health departments to help them implement these interventions.
• Establishes Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Public Health Centers of Excellence.
• Increases data analysis and timely reporting on Alzheimer's, cognitive decline, caregiving and health disparities.

Since its enactment, the CDC has made 66 awards to 45 state, local and tribal health departments. (As of January 2025.)

State Policy

The Association is also working with state governments to expand access to resources in underserved communities, with the goal of reducing stigma and increasing early detection and diagnosis of dementia. Because of the dedication of our hardworking advocates, we're achieving results to support the needs of all people impacted by dementia.

In Arizona, Illinois and Minnesota, the Association secured funding for public awareness campaigns targeting underserved communities:

• Arizona appropriated $750,000 for a public education campaign to increase awareness of Alzheimer's and other dementia in rural and underserved urban areas.
• The Illinois Department of Public Health awarded a $500,000 grant to support a statewide public awareness campaign focused on brain health, as well as early detection and diagnosis of dementia. The program will prioritize outreach to rural and diverse communities to reach those historically underserved.
• Minnesota appropriated $486,000 over two years for an Alzheimer's public awareness program directed toward the general population and underserved communities to raise awareness about dementia and promote the benefits of early detection and diagnosis and cognitive testing.

In addition, Ohio's Department of Aging announced the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Resource Program. The statewide program will offer education resources, tools to improve screenings, toolkits to refer individuals to the appropriate community services, and develop a referral process for individuals experiencing cognitive decline. The statewide initiative also calls for the establishment of the state's first Caregiver Center for Dementia Care at the Ohio State University College of Nursing, which will provide support to family and professional caregivers and increased support to underserved populations and older residents with greater socioeconomic needs.