Alzheimer's Advisory Council Approves Its Recommendations for First National Alzheimer's Plan

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Apr 17, 2012, 06:19 ET

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/-- During today's in-person meeting of the Alzheimer's Advisory Council, members approved a comprehensive set of recommendations that would, if accepted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), complement the important strategies and action steps included in the current draft of the first-ever National Alzheimer's Plan.

"We came together today to recommend how best to derail Alzheimer's, a fatal disease that affects 5.4 million Americans today and that is currently on track to strike as many as 16 million by 2050," said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association and member of the Alzheimer's Advisory Council. "The current draft of the National Alzheimer's Plan is strong, with bold objectives and important actions to achieve them. Today, the Alzheimer's Advisory Council approved complementary recommendations that, taken together with the plan, create a blueprint to address the Alzheimer's crisis now and in the longer term."

The National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), unanimously passed with full bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Obama, authorized the process currently underway to develop a National Alzheimer's Plan. The law also created the Alzheimer's Advisory Council, comprised of representatives from across the Alzheimer's community and officials from key federal agencies, charged with providing recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to Congress to inform the development of the plan.

Next week, more than 700 Alzheimer's advocates are coming to the Capital from all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum. On Tuesday, Secretary Sebelius will address President Obama's Alzheimer's Initiative and commitment to ending the disease. The following day, these advocates will meet with their elected officials to urge continued support for a strong National Alzheimer's Plan, as required by Congress, with the resources necessary to change the trajectory of the disease. The final draft of the National Alzheimer's Plan is expected to be released by the Administration next month.

Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association