December 18, 2014

Alzheimer's Daily

USA2 brings "niche" lobbying to Congress, LatinosAgainstAlzeimer's to address lack of economic data on the diseases' impact on Latinos, and deaths from Alzheimer's on the rise (read more). 

USA2 SPOTLIGHT

A December 17, 2014 CQ Roll Call article (behind paywall) reported on the launch of LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's and USA2's efforts to bring "niche" lobbying to Congress. According to the article, "A new coalition to combat Alzheimer's in Latino communities is adding to a growing list of niche activist groups that are housed under a larger umbrella to fight the disease. The LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's coalition, sponsored by USAgainstAlzheimer's, joins other networks that target specific populations affected by the disease, including African Americans and women. There are also advocacy groups specifically for clergy members, researchers and activists. 'With respect to these networks, between women, African Americans and Latinos, we are talking about a significant majority of the population,' said George Vradenburg, founder of USAgainstAlzheimer's, on a press call. 'These communities are increasingly being represented in Congress . . . and have the ability to move more health issues.' African Americans are up to three times more likely to develop Alzheimer's than white Americans, and women are twice as likely to develop the condition as men. Meanwhile, Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to develop the disease than whites and typically start showing symptoms seven years earlier."

A December 17, 2014 Post Latino article highlighted the launch of USA2's LatinosAgainstAlzheimer's network. According to the article, "there is a lack of information on the economic impact of Alzheimer's disease in the Latino community…the coalition will release a 2015 report that will identify the economic impact of Alzheimer's care and associated costs in the Latino community."

MUST READS

A December 17, 2014 article reported that "Deaths from dementia have risen by 52% since 1990 and the disease is now the third most common cause of death in the UK," according to a new study from Alzheimer's Research UK. According to the article, "Dr James Pickett, head of research and development at the Alzheimer’s Society, said better identification of dementia by doctors accounted for the increase, as well as increasing life expectancy. Because dementia is not consistently recorded as a cause of death, last year’s total of 49,349 lives lost to it “may even be an understatement”, Pickett added. 'With 225,000 people developing dementia every year – the equivalent to one person every three minutes – the condition is one of the biggest health and social care challenges we face.'”

A December 17, 2014 USA Today article reported that a new study published in The Lancet medical journal found that US life expectancy rose more than 3 years from 1990 to 2013 and that deaths caused by Alzheimer's are on the rise. According to the article, "Since 1990, roadway accidents have fallen as a cause of death in the USA, as has violence, while Alzheimer's, diabetes and kidney disease are climbing, the study found…The extension of lifespans around the world – particularly in countries such as Rwanda, Ethiopia and Nepal, which saw some of the biggest increases – shows the power of public action, said Sandro Galea, chairman of the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the incoming dean of Boston University's School of Public Health."

A December 17, 2014 Forbes article reported on federal budget cuts to senior service programs, including $3 million for the White House Conference on Aging. According to the article, "Congress eliminated all $3 million from President Obama’s funding request for next summer’s planned White House Conference on Aging. However, congressional aides expect the White House can still cobble together money needed to run the conference, though it is likely to be a shoestring operation…Among other important programs, the National Institute for Aging at NIH saw its $665 million budget increased slightly, with some new funding for Alzheimer’s Disease research."

A December 17, 2014 Associated Press article (via KSDK) reported that "Federal funds will provide $30 million for Alzheimer's disease research at Washington University in St. Louis over the next five years." According to the article, "The research includes an effort to identify biological changes or biomarkers that can detect the disease and track its progression. The goal is to start Alzheimer's treatments years before patients develop memory loss and dementia."