Funding for Alzheimer's Research

Congress must include a $350 million increase in Fiscal Year 2020 for Alzheimer's research activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

I am extremely passionate about this as having recently lost my mother to Alzheimer's, I know personally just how devastating Alzheimer’s disease is to both the patient and their families.

More than 16 million family members provided unpaid care for these loved ones. The estimated cost of this care alone was $234 billion.

Barring increased research funding to uncover and develop medical breakthroughs needed to prevent, slow or cure the disease, the number of people aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s or other dementias could grow from 5.6 million to 13.8 million by 2050, truly a National Health Crisis. According to the Alzheimer's Association. Every 65 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease – which is why Congress must remain committed to action on this devastating disease.

I urge you to join the Alzheimer's Association and me in asking your members of Congress to support this funding increase at the NIH. I thank Congressman David Scott for his ongoing support of Alzheimer's research and ask that he support this critical funding.

Belinda Jennings

Douglasville Georgia