Washington, DC (February 20, 2025) – Alzheimer’s disease is one of the greatest public health and economic crises of the 21st century, devastating families and draining national resources—and it will get worse as the U.S. population ages. The cost to the U.S. government and families is already staggering and the only way to avoid a dramatic worsening is through investment in a strong National Institutes of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Chair and Co-Founder, George Vradenburg, released the following statement today regarding the urgent need for continued investment:

“Today, one in four American families has had to help care for someone with Alzheimer’s. For more than a dozen years, a wide swath of members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have recognized that investing in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease is an urgent priority for the nation. These lawmakers know that—without scientific progress—the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s could balloon by 2050 to the size of the Defense Department. They know the enormous toll this diagnosis takes on patients and their families. 

“Thanks to Congress’ steadfast commitment and strategic funding, we have seen major advancements and groundbreaking therapies. But we still need a cure, and progress toward a cure is at great risk today. 

“Cuts to the leadership and other staff at the Roy Blunt Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD) at the National Institutes of Health as well as other cuts at NIH, FDA, and CDC threaten to undo years of progress. Reductions like this go to the very muscle and sinew of our fight against a disease that’s ravaging families across the country. These reductions threaten to undo years of progress and intensify the crisis.

“Americans are reaping the benefits of Congress’s investment in Alzheimer’s, and we cannot afford now to take our foot off the pedal in Alzheimer’s innovation. We must continue supporting our healthcare institutions – including the NIH, FDA, and CDC. We must be certain they are staffed with world-class experts. 

“Now is the time for America to continue leading the world in Alzheimer’s research, and we must remain steadfast in our commitment to finding a cure.”