Alzheimer's Association Launches Month of Public Input Sessions Across the Country

Soliciting Perspectives from the Public to Inform a National Alzheimer's Plan

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Building on the Alzheimer's Association's commitment to provide platforms of engagement for those directly affected by Alzheimer's, today the Association launches a month of public input sessions taking place across the country. The Alzheimer's Association will hold more than 100 input sessions, inviting members of the public and stakeholders from the Alzheimer's community to share their views and perspectives on what a national Alzheimer's plan should include. A complete list of all Input Sessions can be found at alz.org/napa.

Today an estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and by 2050, as many as 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's and the cost of care will surpass $1 trillion annually. The National Alzheimer's Project law will ensure the creation of a national strategic plan to address the rapidly escalating Alzheimer's crisis and will coordinate Alzheimer's disease efforts across the federal government.

As the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research, the Alzheimer's Association is dedicated to the development and implementation of a national strategic framework with outcome-driven objectives and accountability. The Association is also committed to ensuring a broad and diverse array of perspectives are included and considered in the plan's development. This is why throughout the month of August, the Association and its network of more than 70 chapters across the country will be hosting public input sessions. These events, taking place in large metropolitan centers, urban areas and rural areas across the United States, will allow individuals concerned with the escalating public health threat of Alzheimer's to use their voices to help shape and contribute to an effective strategic plan. All the input gathered from the public sessions and the website, alz.org/napa will be developed into a report and presented to Administration officials, representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Advisory Council this fall.

A number of the sessions will begin with a videotaped message from President Obama reiterating his Administration's commitment to solving the Alzheimer's crisis. Members of Congress, state and local government officials have been invited and encouraged to attend all the public input sessions taking place in their communities during the August congressional recess.

In addition to the input sessions, Harry Johns, the President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association will be joined by officials from the Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services at the public input sessions taking place in:

To learn more about attending a public input session in your area, visit alz.org/napa.

Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's 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.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association