New Survey Shows Americans Want Elected Officials to Support
Alzheimer’s Now
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 28, 2015 – A candidate’s
relatability to voters and ability to understand the challenges they face make
or break elections. Millions of American voters have had personal experience
with Alzheimer’s disease and understand the dramatic toll the disease takes on
families across the country.
As a result, according to a nationwide survey by the
Alzheimer’s Association, voters view Alzheimer’s disease as a significant
political priority for the 2016 congressional and presidential elections.
The nationwide voter survey indicates that: 1. 73 million
voters have had a family member or close friend with Alzheimer’s disease 2.
More than one-third, or 52 million American voters have
provided care or personal assistance to a relative, friend or neighbor with
Alzheimer’s 3. 82 percent of voters nationwide are concerned about Alzheimer’s
disease 4. 87 percent of voters feel unprepared or only somewhat prepared to
meet care needs of a family member who develops Alzheimer’s disease 5.
The majority, 64 percent, of voters would be more likely to
vote for a presidential candidate who has pledged to support a major national
research effort to fight Alzheimer’s
“The survey findings indicate that 73 million American voters
know someone with Alzheimer’s disease, so it’s not surprising that the majority
of voters expect our government to make Alzheimer’s research and care a
priority,” said Robert Egge, chief public policy officer and executive vice
president of government affairs, Alzheimer’s Association.
“As presidential and congressional candidates look toward
2016, they should understand that voters want to know that they plan to address
the Alzheimer’s disease and, specifically, what actions they intend to take
when it comes to this mounting health crisis.”
Issues important to voters can be controversial but urgently
addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis is not. Alzheimer’s disease is an important
voter issue that is not controversial for any candidate. All candidates know
this is a critical challenge to face; how they will differ is in their approach
and plan to quickly address this already enormous and mounting health crisis.
Presidential and congressional candidates, both Republicans and Democrats, have
already begun to discuss the Alzheimer’s disease crisis while campaigning.
As Alzheimer’s crosses political lines, American voters are
recognizing the disease as an issue that must be proactively addressed by those
they are considering for office. “Prioritizing Alzheimer’s disease research
funding is smart politics for a very important reason,” said Egge.
“Americans understand it’s the only way to change the deadly
and expensive trajectory that is bearing down on so many American families.”
Alzheimer's is already America's most expensive disease,
costing the country more each year than cancer or heart disease. Alzheimer’s
disease also remains the only cause of death among the nation’s top 10 that
cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed.
Today, Medicare spends nearly one in five dollars on people
with Alzheimer’s but, by midcentury; the government will spend nearly one in
three dollars on the disease, which encompasses 31 percent of Medicare's
budget, a nearly twofold increase.
The latest research reveals more than 28 million baby boomers
are expected to develop Alzheimer’s between now and midcentury, dramatically
increasing already overwhelming costs further—for both voters and the
government.
For more information about the voter survey, visit
alz.org/survey. ### Alzheimer’s Association® The Alzheimer’s Association is the
leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and
research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the
advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all
affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain
health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org
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