Highmark Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association Announce 2021 Partnership to Change the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease
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CONTACT: Abbey Hunton, Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications, aahunton@alz.org, 215-399-9151
Highmark Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association Announce 2021 Partnership to Change the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease
$100,000 Highmark Foundation grant to improve Alzheimer’s detection, diagnosis and care
Philadelphia, PA, May 3, 2021 - In an effort to respond to the increasing Alzheimer’s disease
crisis in Pennsylvania, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Highmark Foundation today
announced a 2021 partnership to increase their collaborative efforts in Alzheimer’s detection,
diagnosis and care across Pennsylvania.
The grant partnership will focus on three strategic areas that can affect Alzheimer’s detection,
diagnosis and management, along with enhanced resources to help families and caregivers. The
Highmark Foundation grant will enable the Alzheimer’s Association to work with local
community partners and health systems to identify gaps in quality, reach and access to services.
By working together with local partners, the Association will then develop comprehensive action
plans to help narrow the gap between local communities and dementia care, support and access
to services.
“The Highmark Foundation’s dedication to public health and human service initiatives makes the
organization a perfect partner for the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Kristina Fransel, Executive
Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter. “We are excited to get to work
within our local communities and make an even greater difference in the lives of those
Pennsylvanians who have been affected by this devastating disease.”
Additional areas of focus for the 2021 partnership will include the Association conducting
community assessments to help identify barriers to access care, including diverse communities
that are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Learnings from these
assessments will inform the launch of localized partnerships to ensure access to relevant
resources in all communities.
“The Highmark Foundation is proud to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association to help increase
health literacy, improve access, and inspire patient advocacy,” said Yvonne Cook, president,
Highmark Foundation. “This grant will enable the Alzheimer’s Association to continue offering
Pennsylvanians a number of key resources that will positively impact many families.”
With over 280,000 Pennsylvanians and their families struggling with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis,
the Highmark Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association understand that working as a key conduit
between local families and available options for diagnosis and support is needed now more than
ever. The 2021 grant opportunity presented by the Highmark Foundation is the first step in
providing a better future for all members of the local community we serve.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care,
support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by
accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and
support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia™. Visit alz.org or call
800-272-3900.
Highmark Foundation:
The Highmark Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private, charitable organization dedicated to improving the
health, well-being, and quality of life for individuals and communities throughout the areas served by
Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. We fulfill our mission by awarding high-impact grants
to charitable organizations that implement evidence-based programs aimed at improving community
health. Central to the Foundation’s mission is identifying and continuously re-evaluation our region’s
prevailing health care needs. By doing so, the Foundation remains at the forefront of those needs, well
equipped to pinpoint issues that most urgently need support. For more information, visit
www.highmarkfoundation.org
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.