Congress introduces bipartisan GAIN Act to combat global Alzheimer's crisis
December 31, 2024 | Foreign Affairs: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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On December 31, 2024, the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs convened to address the pressing challenges of global brain health, particularly focusing on Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The meeting highlighted alarming projections that the number of individuals living with Alzheimer's is expected to triple from over 55 million today to more than 152 million by 2050. This surge poses a significant economic burden, with costs associated with Alzheimer's and dementia reaching $1.3 trillion in 2019 and anticipated to escalate further as the global population ages.
Despite a tenfold increase in U.S. funding for domestic Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health—from $400 million to $4 billion over the past decade—there remains a critical gap in global funding for Alzheimer's initiatives. This lack of international support is particularly concerning given that most research has predominantly focused on Caucasian populations, neglecting the diverse global demographic that constitutes 90% of the world's population.
In response to these challenges, a bipartisan initiative known as the Global Alzheimer's Initiative Now (GAIN Act) was introduced during the meeting. This act aims to authorize U.S. participation in the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative (DAC), which was established in 2021 as a coalition of governments, nonprofits, academia, and the private sector. The DAC plans to invest over $700 million over six years to enhance Alzheimer's research and care, striving for equitable and accessible healthcare solutions worldwide.
The meeting also featured testimonies from distinguished experts in the field, including Dr. Gladys Paestra, who has dedicated her career to Alzheimer's research in minority populations, and Dr. Benjamin Warf, a pediatric neurosurgeon with extensive experience in low-resource settings. Their insights underscored the importance of addressing cultural, educational, and genetic factors in Alzheimer's research and treatment.
As the committee concluded its discussions, the urgency of leveraging U.S. resources to combat Alzheimer's disease and support affected families was emphasized. The anticipated next steps include further exploration of the GAIN Act and continued collaboration with global partners to enhance brain health initiatives. The meeting served as a crucial platform for addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that encompass diverse populations and global cooperation.
Despite a tenfold increase in U.S. funding for domestic Alzheimer's research at the National Institutes of Health—from $400 million to $4 billion over the past decade—there remains a critical gap in global funding for Alzheimer's initiatives. This lack of international support is particularly concerning given that most research has predominantly focused on Caucasian populations, neglecting the diverse global demographic that constitutes 90% of the world's population.
In response to these challenges, a bipartisan initiative known as the Global Alzheimer's Initiative Now (GAIN Act) was introduced during the meeting. This act aims to authorize U.S. participation in the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative (DAC), which was established in 2021 as a coalition of governments, nonprofits, academia, and the private sector. The DAC plans to invest over $700 million over six years to enhance Alzheimer's research and care, striving for equitable and accessible healthcare solutions worldwide.
The meeting also featured testimonies from distinguished experts in the field, including Dr. Gladys Paestra, who has dedicated her career to Alzheimer's research in minority populations, and Dr. Benjamin Warf, a pediatric neurosurgeon with extensive experience in low-resource settings. Their insights underscored the importance of addressing cultural, educational, and genetic factors in Alzheimer's research and treatment.
As the committee concluded its discussions, the urgency of leveraging U.S. resources to combat Alzheimer's disease and support affected families was emphasized. The anticipated next steps include further exploration of the GAIN Act and continued collaboration with global partners to enhance brain health initiatives. The meeting served as a crucial platform for addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that encompass diverse populations and global cooperation.
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