Draft National Plan To Fight Alzheimer’s Released

A framework for the plan was unveiled in January. This more fleshed-out version builds on that outline, makes treatment a top priority and focuses on the burden the disease places on families and caregivers.   

Kaiser Health News: Capsules: Council Publishes Plan For Alzheimer's Research, Care
Much of the plan was already known from the draft framework published in January. Experts put an emphasis on expanding and better coordinating disease research, especially through public-private partnerships. They also stressed better preparation for the health care workforce, improving public outreach and providing effected families with financial and other support (Torres, 2/22).

Reuters: Obama's Alzheimer's Plan Focuses On Treatment, Care
The Obama administration's plan to fight Alzheimer's disease aims to harness the nation's expertise to find real treatments by 2025 and improve the care and treatment of the 5.1 million Americans already afflicted with the brain-wasting disease. The draft plan, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, makes treatment a top priority, but it also focuses on the burden the disease places on families and caregivers (Steenhuysen, 2/22).

The Associated Press: US Drafts Plan To Fight Feared Alzheimer's Disease
The Obama administration declared Alzheimer's "one of the most-feared health conditions" on Wednesday as it issued a draft of the nation's first strategy to fight the ominous rise in the mind-destroying disease. More than 5 million Americans already have Alzheimer's or similar dementias, a toll expected to reach up to 16 million by 2050, along with skyrocketing medical and nursing home bills, because the population is aging so rapidly (Neergaard, 2/22).

Earlier, KHN coverage: Different Takes: The National Plan To Address Alzheimer's Disease (1/31).