Reader's view: Alzheimer's research needs support

To the editor: As scientists continue to search for ways to prevent, cure or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease through medical research, public health also plays an important role in promoting cognitive function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Investing in a nationwide Alzheimer's public health response will help create population-level change, achieve a higher quality of life for those living with the disease and their caregivers, and reduce associated costs; Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in the U.S. and costs the country more than $259 billion a year. As a Board member for the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, I urge Rep. John Moolenaar to support a $425 million increase for research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Alzheimer’s disease for fiscal year 2019. Rep. Moolenaar is uniquely positioned as a member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Labor-HHS Subcommittee to help secure a $425 million increase in Alzheimer’s research funding next year. The current funding level is still short of the total research funding needed to meet the goal of finding a treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s and other dementias by 2025. Furthermore, I would like to urge Rep. Moolenaar to co-sponsor Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act (S. 2076/H.R.4256). This legislation seeks to strengthen our nation's approach to Alzheimer's by making it a public health priority. KEVIN PARK Midland