WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10, 2020 — The Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed a $354 million increase for Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in their proposed 2021 fiscal year budget. The proposal also includes $15 million in funding to implement the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (P.L. 115-406), a law which works to strengthen the public health infrastructure across the country, implementing effective Alzheimer's interventions focused on increasing early detection and diagnosis, reducing risk, and preventing avoidable hospitalizations.
“Today’s Senate proposal reflects the broad, bipartisan commitment to decisively address one of our nation’s highest impact public health issues through research,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association Chief Public Policy Officer and AIM Executive Director. “We are grateful to Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) for their steadfast leadership and dedication to fight this devastating disease.”
Next month marks the 10 year anniversary of the Association-led National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), landmark legislation that has changed the course of the disease, passing Congress. At the time, annual federal funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research was just $448 million. If today’s proposed increase is signed into law, annual funding will reach more than $3 billion.
This is an important moment for the Alzheimer’s research community as well as those living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. For the first time in more than a decade, a new treatment for cognitive decline related to Alzheimer’s is being reviewed by the FDA. Regardless of the FDA’s decision, it is critical to continue to advance multiple effective treatment options for people living in all stages of Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
The steady, reliable, predictable commitment from the government for Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding is making a difference. Researchers are advancing the understanding of the disease, exploring biomarkers, discovering potential ways to reduce risk, and are working to move promising therapeutic candidates and diagnostic tools forward into clinical testing. And, as the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s disease research, the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way; that includes directing studies of lifestyle-based therapies and exploring methods for combining multiple approaches into combination therapies.
In the coming days and weeks Senate and House leadership are expected to finalize the FY21 budget. The Alzheimer’s Association, AIM and its advocates will continue to work with Congressional leaders to ensure the highest possible funding increase for research and for implementation of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.
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.
Alzheimer’s Impact Movement
The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) is the advocacy arm of the Alzheimer’s Association. AIM works to develop and advance policies to overcome Alzheimer’s disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. For more information, visit alzimpact.org.