Alzheimer's Disease Research Welcomes Draft Framework for National Alzheimer's Plan
American Health Assistance Foundation Underscores Research Goals Needed to Stop Alzheimer's over Next Decade
CLARKSBURG, MD-The American Health Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds innovative, early-stage research through its Alzheimer's Disease Research (ADR) program, welcomed the release of a draft framework to stop the disease over the next decade.
This week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a "Draft Framework for the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease," a step needed in implementation of the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) enacted in 2011. The first goal of the plan is to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease by 2025, a date set by HHS. The department identified several research strategies needed to achieve that goal.
Commented AHAF President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller:
"Setting an aggressive deadline is fundamental to ending this devastating disease. The initial HHS strategy recognizes that a cure starts with research.
Since 1985, the American Health Assistance Foundation has provided $74 million in grants worldwide for cutting-edge Alzheimer's disease research. Many of our grantees have gone on to be internationally renowned innovators in the field. Yet we know that to truly conquer this disease, a coordinated effort among non-profits, industry, and the government-and increased funding-is needed.
The first steps identified by HHS are to identify research priorities and milestones, enhance research on prevention and treatment, and coordinate research 'across nations and across funders.' AHAF, an international nonprofit with affiliates in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, stands ready to help in this coordination."
AHAF is a member of Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD), a group of nonprofit, for-profit, government, and academic entities working to increase the U.S. commitment to ending Alzheimer's disease. AHAF's Alzheimer's Disease Research program will participate in HHS's NAPA Advisory Council meeting on January 17 and 18 and also in the National Institute on Aging's May 2012 research summit.
For information on AHAF-funded Alzheimer's disease research, visit www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/awareness_month_2011_2.html for an update on the latest discoveries, and
www.ahaf.org/research/grants/adrcurrentawards.html for research project summaries.
For publications, podcasts, and videos on Alzheimer's disease, including the story of Texas educator Gonzalo Garza's experience as a caregiver for his wife, visit https://www.brightfocus.org/research/alzheimers-disease-research-program
About the American Health Assistance Foundation
The American Health Assistance Foundation (www.ahaf.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding cures for age-related degenerative diseases by funding research worldwide under its three program areas: Alzheimer's Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research. AHAF also provides public information about these diseases, including risk factors, preventative lifestyles, current treatments, and coping strategies.
To learn more about AHAF research, visit www.ahaf.org/research or call 800-437-2423. Stay connected to ground-breaking research news by signing up for eAlerts at www.ahaf.org/news. To follow the American Health Assistance Foundation on Twitter and Facebook visit www.ahaf.org/connect.