Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2026) – Following the release of the 2026 update to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias at an Alzheimer’s summit in Broward County Florida, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s issued the following statement from Catherine Patterson, Acting Chief Operating Officer:

“We are grateful for the commitment of the new Advisory Council members and its chair, Florida Secretary of Elder Affairs Michelle Branham, to advancing the goals of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act: preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias while improving care for people living with these conditions.

“The updated National Plan offers four critical goals and a comprehensive set of planned activities that, if implemented, will reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, advance Alzheimer’s research and care and make a meaningful difference for people living with Alzheimer’s and their families. We also thank the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for holding listening sessions to gather public feedback, which UsAgainstAlzheimer’s was pleased to participate in. We appreciate the Department’s efforts to understand the lived experience of those affected by the disease to inform this important work.

“Now is the time to turn these plans into action. With women accounting for nearly two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and many populations at higher risk for the disease, we urge the Advisory Council to prioritize actions based on the Plan’s goals that will address the disproportionate impact that this disease has on these individuals. Restoration of the Alzheimer’s Disease Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ensuring that everyone has access to quality and affordable healthcare will be important steps in this process. By working with Congress and relevant federal agencies to advance these priorities in the months ahead, we can translate the Plan’s recommendations into meaningful progress for millions of families.”

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About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s


UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is engaged in a relentless pursuit to end Alzheimer’s, the sixth leading killer in America. Our work centers on prevention, early detection and diagnosis, and equal access to treatments regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity. To achieve our mission, we give voice to patients and caregivers while partnering with government, scientists, the private sector, and allied organizations—the people who put the “Us” in UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.

Contact: Chantez Bailey, [email protected]