UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Calls for Congress to Fully Fund Alzheimer’s Research in FY 2021 Budget

Washington, D.C. (February 11, 2020) – UsAgainstAlzheimer’s released the following statement regarding the White House’s proposed FY 2021 federal budget, which seeks a 5 percent reduction in spending for non-defense discretionary programs. The budget proposal seeks a nearly $3 billion cut from FY 2020 for the National Institutes of Health, down to $38.7 billion. In FY 2020, federal spending for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia research through NIH had increased $350 million to $2.8 billion.

“Alzheimer’s is the biggest public health crisis of the 21st Century, and it is important to accelerate with increased Alzheimer’s research funding towards effective treatments and prevention.

“Congress should build on the bipartisan support that resulted in a $350 million increase in spending this year by NIH for Alzheimer’s research. The increased federal Alzheimer’s research funding over the past several years is necessary to find ways to effectively treat this disease. This funding support for research is helping scientists better understand Alzheimer’s, and there are promising signs of hope with several drug therapies expected to be submitted for FDA review this year.

Alzheimer’s disease touches tens of millions of families each year without regard to whether they are Republicans, Democrats, or independents. It is the most urgent public health crisis of our time – and stopping it will require a sustained national effort.

“We call on Democrats and Republicans in Congress to join together again and support needed funding increases for Alzheimer’s research for FY 2021 and help our country move closer to effectively treating, preventing and ultimately curing this disease.”

###

About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2)

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2) is a disruptive advocacy and research-focused organization that is pushing for expanding treatments and accelerating towards a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. UsA2’s transformative programming is laser-focused on proactive brain health across the lifespan and understanding what matters most across the lived experiences of those affected by Alzheimer’s in the service of preventing, treating and curing this disease.  We are working to ensure that all communities have their voices heard, and get a chance to be brain healthy from the earliest years while building resistance to and resilience against possible cognitive decline.