Eddie Bernice Johnson: Alzheimer’s research remains underfunded and under-prioritized

More than 6.5 million Americans 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s. Here in Texas, there are more than 400,000. Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in Texas and across the nation, according to the State Department of Health and Human Services. In 2022, Alzheimer’s care is estimated to cost the United States over $321 billion in care and treatment. By 2050, this number is expected to reach nearly $1 trillion. Beyond these statistics are heartbreaking stories of the impact of cognitive decline on patients and their loved ones. This debilitating disease robs more than just memories — it can also deteriorate the most vibrant personalities and damage the strongest relationships. It can make daily tasks and basic activities seem strenuous and unachievable. Ultimately, and at its worst, Alzheimer’s is fatal. Despite being one of our most critical public health issues, Alzheimer’s research remains severely underfunded and under-prioritized. Clinical trials and studies — which already take long periods to complete — are years behind schedule.

We have seen an alarming increase in the number of Alzheimer’s patients in the nation, yet there is an alarming scarcity of doctors qualified to treat them. So, where do we go from here? As the first registered nurse elected to Congress, I have taken a unique approach to Alzheimer’s advocacy because I have sat face-to-face with patients as a caregiver. This experience has taught me two things: the first is that Alzheimer’s is a complex disease that will require a complex solution, and the second is that raising awareness is as important as raising funding. To put it simply, Alzheimer’s is an intricate, multifaceted disease affecting an intricate, multifaceted organ. There are various genetic and environmental risk factors and several classifications and stages of the disease. It can affect several parts of the brain and corresponding cells that control thought, memory, and language. Yet, despite all we know, we have not identified a definitive theory about the root cause of Alzheimer’s —which itself is the root cause of why there is no cure. While supporting continued efforts to increase research funding is necessary, I have also pushed initiatives to improve awareness about Alzheimer’s.