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U.S.
Senator Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
CONTACT: Stephanie Valencia – 202-494- 8790 |
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| Sen. Salazar: 'We Must Continue to Identify Ways to Address the Silent Health Care Crisis of Alzheimer's Disease' WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on the future of Alzheimer’s disease, a disease that currently affects over five million Americans and their families. At today’s hearing, the Committee heard testimony from former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, members of the Alzheimer’s Study Group. Justice O’Connor and Speaker Gingrich provided an update on the latest Alzheimer’s research and treatments, issues surrounding early-onset diagnoses, the importance of training and support for patient caregivers and the need for a comprehensive strategy as more and more Americans are diagnosed with the disease. As a member of the Committee, Senator Ken Salazar shared how the disease has impacted his family. He also expressed the need to bring renewed attention to the disease and the need to identify ways we can work together to overcome this health care crisis. In the year 2000, nearly 50,000 people in Colorado had Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to balloon to 72,000 in 2010. It is projected that without a cure, or the discovery of some treatment that could delay the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s, there will be almost a half million new cases of Alzheimer’s disease each year by 2010; by 2050, there will be a million new cases each year. Below is Senator Salazar’s statement as prepared for the Committee. “An estimated 5.2 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2030, 8 million people are projected to have the disease. In my home state of Colorado, alone, experts project that 72,000 people will live with Alzheimer’s by 2010, a 47 percent increase from 2000. “Anyone who has studied Alzheimer’s disease or has learned about it through personal experience knows very well about its debilitating symptoms. What may begin as memory loss can lead to a complete lack of independence and the inability to care for oneself. For the estimated 10 million family members and caregivers who treat loved ones with Alzheimer’s, the decline is devastating to witness and takes a staggering toll on their lives. “I have seen the effects of Alzheimer’s disease first hand. My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when he was 82 years old. For many years, my mother, siblings and I shared the responsibility of caring for him. Eventually, he struggled to perform the simplest tasks. “We know that scientists have made great strides in understanding this complex disease, but there is much more work to be done. This is especially true given the increasing numbers of Americans diagnosed with the disease and the staggering health care cost to our nation. “How do we move beyond treating symptoms to curing the disease from the onset? To answer this question and others, we must continue to invest in research, treatments and improved care. This is why I am a proud co-sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act, which would double funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institute of Health to $1.3 billion. We should work to pass this legislation to help build upon what we know about Alzheimer’s and continue to give families hope that we will find a cure. “Our discussions
at this hearing are critical in bringing renewed attention to Alzheimer’s
and hopefully identify ways we can work together to overcome this health
care crisis. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate
to accomplish this goal.” ###
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