In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama called for "investments in science and innovation", including Alzheimer's disease. Currently, over 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease. This number is expected to grow to epidemic proportions in the coming years, multiplying by a factor of three, as baby boomers age.
Not only does the disease cause the obvious emotional toll on families affected, it also comes at a high cost to our nation. According to the Alzheimer's Association, "the average per-person Medicare costs for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias are three times higher than for those without these conditions."
The President's recognition of the significance of Alzheimer's disease in this country and the need for further research, is an important step in raising awareness for this issue. It is time that Alzheimer's disease not be a condition that is kept behind closed doors, but that is accepted and better understood.
Read more about Raising Awareness for Dementia.