The White House Blog: Another Step Forward For Alzheimer’s Research and Services

By Melody Barnes
Published: January 5, 2011

This week, President Obama signed The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), bipartisan legislation that will help individuals and families across the country whose lives are touched by Alzheimer’s disease. This legislation represents the next step in our strong, continued commitment to supporting Alzheimer’s research and health and long-term care services for affected individuals.

Alzheimer’s disease currently affects 5.3 million Americans, a number which is expected to increase fourfold by 2050. Additionally, there are nearly 11 million unpaid caregivers and the Nation spends an estimated $172 billion in annual costs.

Signing NAPA builds on a commitment made to individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease at a meeting that was held at the White House on World Alzheimer’s Day last September. We brought together leading Alzheimer’s disease advocates, researchers, health and long-term care experts, and others to commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day.

Developing a national plan to respond to this disease is critical for making sure that we are supporting individuals and families as effectively as possible and making important research investments to develop effective therapeutics and change the trajectory of this disease. The Obama Administration looks forward to implementing this legislation.

Melody Barnes is the Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council