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Harry Johns, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association.
The graying of America is driving costs associated with Alzheimer's and other dementia up at an alarming rate, Harry Johns[1] , national president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, said during a recent stop in Dallas.
The costs total $203 billion per year now and are projected to reach $1.2 trillion in today's dollars by 2050, Johns told people with Alzheimer's, caregivers and others gathered Sept. 19 at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church.
"Alzheimer's in America is already an epidemic," Johns said. "It's the sixth-leading cause of death and the only one with no way to prevent it or even slow it down."
Despite the escalating costs, funding for Alzheimer's research lags[2] in comparison to research spending on other diseases. National Institute of Health[3] funding totals about $6 billion a year on cancer, $4 billion on heart and cardiovascular disease, $3 billion a year on HIV/AIDS, but only $500 million on Alzheimer's research, he said.
Johns, who was visiting from the association's Chicago headquarters, became national president and CEO in September 2005. Since his arrival, the Alzheimer's Association has focused on accelerating progress in treatment through promotion of clinical studies, a campaign to enhance early detection, and an increased focus on public policy and advocacy.
Bill covers health care, law and education.
References
- ^ Harry Johns (www.bizjournals.com)
- ^ Alzheimer's research funding lags (www.bizjournals.com)
- ^ National Institute of Health (www.bizjournals.com)
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