USA2 SPOTLIGHT  

A September 28, 2015 Huffington Post opinion piece by USA2 co-founders George and Trish Vradenburg underscored the need to foster dementia friendly communities. According to the Vradenburg’s, “It starts with simply raising awareness about dementia so we can change attitudes towards those who suffer from cognitive impairments. While we can't mandate that citizens be kind and patient, educating communities about what Alzheimer's is and how those with dementia can be recognized and helped can improve dynamics, smooth out interactions, and mitigate the stigma attached to the disease…This is America's hometown family disease. Until there is a means of prevention and treatment for Alzheimer's, each of us, in our hometowns across the country, should welcome back millions too afraid to come out of the shadows. We owe that much to our families, friends and neighbors. It's time to show them we hear them and we care.”

MINORITY IMPACT 

A September 28, 2015 Miami Herald article reported that “A team of University of Miami neurologists, working with other medical professionals across the country, has received a multimillion-dollar grant to help identify early signs of Alzheimer’s in Hispanics.” According to the article, “The National Institute on Aging, which awarded the $5.67 million grant, is hoping the findings may help to delay or prevent the onset of the Alzheimer’s, a progressive brain disorder that leads to the loss of cognitive skills.”

A September 28, 2015 Ebony profile of B. Smith and her husband Dan Gasby highlighted their work to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s in the African American community. According to the article, “The couple is resigned to holding out hope for a cure. With continued activism and advocacy, Dan feels his goal is within reach and Alzheimer’s can be a thing of the past. ‘We're going to go after this thing. We're going to fight. Ten years from now, I want young people asking, 'What's Alzheimer’s?’”

RESEARCH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY 

A September 29, 2015 Exconomy.com article reported on the FDA’s hold on a big Phase 3 trial for an experimental Alzheimer’s drug from Forum Pharmaceuticals because of gastrointestinal safety problems. 

A September 28, 2015 Voice of America article reported that “A new study by the International Labor Organization finds more than half of all people 65 years and older have no access to urgently needed long term care.”

A September 28, 2015 Boston Business Journal article reported that MIT scientists have discovered similar structures that contribute to Alzheimer’s are also found in yeast.