HHS releases draft plan to address Alzheimer’s

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday released a draft national plan to address Alzheimer’s disease. The draft plan offers specific action steps to accelerate research on treatment and prevention, as well as proposals for improving care, services and support for patients, families and caregivers.

The draft plan has five goals:

• Prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025
• Optimize care quality and efficiency
• Expand supports for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families
• Enhance public awareness and engagement
• Track progress and drive improvement

Creating and maintaining a national plan to overcome Alzheimer’s disease is part of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 4, 2011.

HHS is seeking comments on the draft national plan. Public comment will be accepted through March 30 and should be e-mailed to napa@hhs.gov.