Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2009
Sen. Mary Easley
Senate Urges Congress to Increase Funding for Alzheimer's
Research
In 2006, nearly 73,000 Americans died of Alzheimer's
disease and 411,000 citizens were diagnosed with the disease,
and that number is expected to skyrocket as Baby Boomers get older.
State Sen. Mary
Easley wonders why, based on these numbers, the federal government
is not spending more to research the disease. She authored Senate
Concurrent Resolution 2 urging Congress to increase federal funding
for Alzheimer's disease research.
"In 2006, there were around 56,300 Americans infected with
HIV compared to the 411,000 new Alzheimer patients, yet the federal
government spends around $2.9 billion a year on HIV/AIDS research
and only about $650 million for Alzheimer's research. Something
is wrong with this picture," said Easley.
"The government even spends more each year on West Nile Virus
research - about $15,564 per patient compared to $124 per Alzheimer
patient. This needs to change"
Experts predict that as the Baby Boom generation ages, the number
of Alzheimer cases will increase to half a million by 2010 and
almost a million by 2050.
"It's more important than ever that Congress increase federal
funding for Alzheimer's research to a level that reflects the
impact the disease has on our country," said Easley. "Finding
a cure for this horrible disease will ensure that our elderly
keep their mental capacity to their final days and that families
no longer have to suffer financially or emotionally watching their
loved ones spend their last years lost and confused."
SCR 2 will now be considered by the House.
For more information contact:
Sen. Easley's Office: 405-521-5590
