Under President Trump, the focus on chronic disease prevention is helping make America healthier by elevating chronic disease prevention and driving broader public understanding of metabolic health.
More and more Americans recognize the link between metabolic dysfunction and the nation’s most pressing health challenges. As more people seek to improve their health and prioritize prevention, there is a real opportunity for advocates for additional Alzheimer’s research, prevention, and treatment to merge their efforts with the movement’s growing power.
The high cost of Alzheimer’s disease to the American healthcare system and society demands a comprehensive and proactive national response that the Trump Administration can deliver right now. Alzheimer’s disease is not just a medical crisis; it is an economic and social emergency. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only leading cause of death without a cure, though there are lifestyle changes and emerging new therapies that can help prevent and slow the progression of the disease.
The disease costs the American healthcare system hundreds of billions of dollars annually. When factoring in the value of unpaid care, lost productivity, and social costs, the total economic toll easily enters the trillions. This staggering and unsustainable cost drains Medicare, Medicaid, and private family savings. With the disease on track to cost the United States over $780 billion a year, Alzheimer’s prevention is not only a health priority, it’s an economic imperative to safeguard our fiscal future. Every dollar invested in prevention today saves taxpayers several times that in future Medicaid and Medicare spending.
More than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and this number is projected to nearly double by 2060 without significant medical breakthroughs. Millions more family members and friends serve as unpaid caregivers, often sacrificing their own careers and financial security.
Launching a bold Alzheimer’s initiative is also a matter of national security and American competitiveness. As the American workforce ages, it’s imperative to address Alzheimer’s and dementia like other nations have. China, for example, has launched the “China Brain Project” to increase the early diagnosis rate of dementia and accelerate the commercialization of new drugs. The Chinese government has reportedly invested over $700 million into the project and is conducting studies with the goal of achieving breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research by 2030. Without action, America risks falling behind.
There is a growing consensus in the scientific and medical communities about the clinical benefits of the removal of amyloid plaque from the brain for people living with mild cognitive impairment and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trial results indicate treatments taken in the early stages of Alzheimer’s can deliver more time to participate in daily life and remain Independent.
Recent scientific advancements in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in our understanding of how lifestyle changes can impact dementia risk, new blood tests that can aid in the detection of early Alzheimer’s disease, and new disease-modifying therapies, offer a beacon of hope against this devastating disease. A bold new “Great American Alzheimer’s Initiative,” as part of the Trump Administration’s broader healthcare agenda, could seize this moment to:
A bold new “Great American Alzheimer’s Initiative,” as part of the Trump Administration’s broader healthcare agenda, could seize this moment to:
While progress is being made, cutting red tape and unleashing American innovation to drive Alzheimer’s research remains critical to find a cure and develop preventive strategies.
Research shows that certain lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. By adopting a proactive approach focused on prevention, individuals and public health initiatives can make substantial strides in mitigating the future burden of this disease. More than 9 in 10 Americans already believe that it’s somewhat important or very important for the federal government to prioritize preventative actions like healthier eating, better sleep, and more exercise to get ahead of Alzheimer’s disease.
Patients have a right to know important information about their own health. Early detection of Alzheimer’s gives patients that information and the time to make important decisions about their life, their families, and their healthcare. It also gives caregivers time to adjust to their caregiver role. Investing in early detection and treatment also has the potential to save the federal government billions of dollars, which over 80 percent of voters agree is a convincing reason to take bold steps to tackle the disease.
The current restrictive coverage policies create unnecessary barriers between patients and life-changing treatments. A national initiative must advocate for the immediate reconsideration and revision of these restrictions to ensure all FDA-approved therapies are covered under standard medical benefits. 90 percent of voters already support requiring Medicare to cover blood tests that can detect Alzheimer’s before someone shows signs of the disease. And an even higher 92 percent support changing Medicare rules to make it easier for doctors to get patients FDA-approved treatments to slow Alzheimer’s. Some in Congress have already introduced legislation–the ASAP Act–to expand Medicare coverage for early detection of Alzheimer’s.
The American Alzheimer’s Alliance is working to find solutions for the millions of people living with this devastating disease.