usa2 spotlight

A November 3, 2015 The Washingtonian.com slideshow highlighted the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Summit and Out of the Shadows Gala featuring Senator Barbara Mikulski, B. Smith and Dan Gasby, and UsA2 co-founders George and Trish Vradenburg among others. 

must reads and watch

A November 4, 2015 Kaiser Health News article profiled the work of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). According to the article, “In 2014 the institute launched the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Networks, a program creating formal organizations overseen by medical professionals with patient participation and capable of conducting research surveys and studies into many diseases and conditions. These include both Clinical Data Research Networks, usually based at large university medical centers with access to repositories of millions of electronic health records, and Patient-Powered Research Networks that link thousands of patient volunteers with academic partners.” UsA2 is a co-recipient of a PCORI contract to develop an Alzheimer’s Patient Powered Research Network.

A November 3, 2015 San Francisco Gate article reported that “Aging Baby Boomers who are living longer due to medical advancements will cause Medi-Cal expenses for Californians with Alzheimer’s disease to rise nearly 59 percent to close to $4.9 billion annually, according to a report released Wednesday.”

Must Watch: A November 3, 2015 Today.com broadcast segment highlighted Tom Brokaw’s personal connection to Alzheimer’s. According to the description, “November is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, and the Fisher Center at Rockefeller University is on the frontlines of the battle against the disease. Howard Lutnick, who leads the board at the Fisher Center, and Dr. Marc Flajolet, who is researching the disease there, join NBC News special correspondent Tom Brokaw on TODAY to talk about the latest developments in the search for a cure."

A November 3, 2015 Time.com article highlighted important facts about lewy body dementia. According to the article, “What is Lewy body dementia? A progressive brain disorder in which microscopic protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, develop in the brain. Lewy body dementia (LBD) has symptoms that often include changes in thinking, problem solving, memory and movement. It’s the second most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease, and accounts for about 20% of all cases of dementia.”

Global and regional Highlights

A November 3, 2015 The Fiscal Times opinion piece by Michael Hodin outlined strategies for China to deal with its rapidly aging population. According to Hodin, “If the Chinese want economic growth, they will have to focus on how to keep its colossal aging population healthy, active, productive -- and working…China can be a leader in the 21st century challenge of enabling a healthy aging process. If Alzheimer’s is a worldwide challenge, the aging of China’s population will ensure it becomes their fiscal nightmare. As the Chinese lead the G-20 next year, they could spearhead the fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Repealing the one-baby policy is a start, but China must also immediately and urgently take the steps for a healthier and more active aging of a massively older population.” Michael Hodin is the executive director of the Global Coalition on Aging.

A November 3, 2015 Alaska Public Media article reported on the growth of Alzheimer’s disease in Alaska and highlighted programs to keep seniors active. According to the article, “Cole has severe memory loss and can’t spend the day alone. While her daughter works, she participates in programs with Daybreak, an activity center that cares for adults who have Alzheimer’s disease and severe memory loss. The idea behind the center is to keep people active and to provide some respite for their caregivers.‘Without Daybreak, I could not have a job,' quotes Liz Hunt, the director of the center, from a comment made by a caregiver.”