Health: First National Alzheimer's Plan
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Obama administration today declared that Alzheimer's disease is one of the country's biggest health challenges and unveiled the first national Alzheimer's strategy. 3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has more on the plan.
Today's announcement of a national strategy sets the clock ticking toward better treatments by 2025, while also offering help for suffering families today.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, announced the first National Alzheimer's Plan.
With 5.4 million Americans suffering from the brain robbing disease, the Obama administration has declared Alzheimer's one of the biggest health challenges facing the country.
"We've made considerable progress, but we know a lot more needs to be done, and it needs to be done right now," said Sebelius.
Among the first steps is a new website that Sebelius called a one-stop shop for information and references, including at least seven Philadelphia area NIH studies, most of which are being done at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
"Our goal is to give everyone a place to find the help they need, whether it's someone with the disease, someone who thinks their parent or loved one might have the disease, or a caregiver looking for information," said Sebelius.
Included in the new strategy are improved surveillance and caregiver support plus an extra $50 million for Alzheimer's research.
A variety of potential treatments are being reviewed by the world's top Alzheimer's scientists in Bethesda, Maryland.
For more on the new Alzheimer's government website, click here.
For local Alzheimer's disease trials, click here or here.
For more on the Alzheimer's Association's Delaware Valley Chapter, click here.
