FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 June 2024
Contact: Kevin G. McGuire | 202-538-2386
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-38), and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize June 2024 as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. The Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month resolution encourages education and awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, advocates for Alzheimer’s disease research, and support to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias and their caregivers.
“Nearly 7 million Americans, including my mom, live with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, making it a significant public health issue,” said Rep. Barragán. “That is why it is important to raise awareness of how this heartbreaking disease impacts patients and to highlight the crucial role that millions of unpaid family caregivers play to support individuals with Alzheimer’s.
“As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I also want to call attention to the need to address disparities in health outcomes and access to care – especially in Latino communities, who are projected to have the largest increase in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia cases by 2060. As a primary caregiver for my mom, I will always fight for Alzheimer’s patients, families, and their caregivers. Thank you to Reps. Buchanan, Sánchez, and Bilirakis for co-leading my resolution and for their ongoing commitment to address the Alzheimer’s crisis.”
“As someone who cared for a parent with this dreadful disease, I believe that it is imperative that Congress takes critical steps to recognize the significant impact that Alzheimer’s has had on our nation’s seniors,” said. Rep. Buchanan. “I am pleased to co-lead this bipartisan resolution with Reps. Barragán, Sánchez, and Bilirakis to bring much needed and continued awareness to this deadly disease.”
“As the daughter of two parent’s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I understand firsthand the challenges it causes families,” said Rep. Sánchez. “Our resolution will help raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, encourage more people to get screened, and promote the development of advanced treatments and finding a cure. Hopefully, it will also show those facing this terrible illness that they and their loved ones are not alone in this fight.”
“As research continues to yield advancement in the development of more treatment options for patients with Alzheimer’s, we know that early detection, diagnosis and intervention offers the best promise for disease management which is why we must raise awareness of the signs, symptoms and impact this disease has on millions of Americans,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “My family has coped with the devastating impacts of this horrific disease for more than a decade, so I understand the toll it takes on the patient and his or her loved ones as it progresses. We owe it to our fellow Americans to develop a system of care that prioritizes education, screening and assessment so that patients can enjoy the best possible quality of life.”
“On behalf of the nearly seven million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, thank you to Reps. Barragán, Buchanan, Sánchez, and Bilirakis for your leadership in recognizing Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and supporting the Alzheimer’s community,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “The Alzheimer’s Association and AIM are deeply grateful for your longstanding, bipartisan support and commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”
In addition to Buchanan, Sánchez, and Bilirakis, the Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month resolution is cosponsored by 35 original cosponsors: Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Kelly Armstrong (ND-00), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Mike Carey (OH-15), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Angie Craig (MN-02), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Vince Fong (CA-20), John Garamendi (FL-03), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Darin LaHood (IL-16), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Carol D. Miller (WV-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-08), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Brandon Williams (NY-22).
The Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month resolution is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM).
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).