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Home News The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease

The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease

Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012

In January, 2011, President Barak Obama signed into law the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.   In February, 2012, the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease was published including a $156 million investment in research, education and care support.

Guided by three principles: 

• Optimize existing resources and improve and coordinate ongoing activities
• Support public-private partnerships
• Transform the way we approach Alzheimer’s Disease

The National Plan is founded on five (5) primary goals.

1. Prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025
2. Optimize quality care and efficiency
3. Expand support for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their families
4. Enhance public awareness and engagement
5. Track progress and drive improvement

Dr. John Dougherty, Medical Director of the Cole Neuroscience Center Memory Disorders Clinic states, “The plan for the treatment and management of Alzheimer's disease is very impressive. The study suggests that Alzheimer's disease should be effectively treated if not cured by 2025. If we can delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease 3-5 years we can reduce the number of people who are affected by 6-8 million individuals.  This is a substantial contribution to the care and treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease.”

The Cole Neuroscience Center in Knoxville, Tennessee is the only Neurology sub-specialty center of its kind in the region, The Cole Neuroscience Center offers a complete spectrum of care for degenerative neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease.

On May 15, 2012, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spoke to the plan at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Summit She unveiled a new website devoted to goals three (3) and four (4).

You may read the entire National Plan, here.