U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Xavier Becerra, announced the release of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease: 2023 Update, a comprehensive blueprint outlining the collaborative efforts and strategies HHS and its collaborators are undertaking to expedite research, enhance treatments, and improve care and support for those affected by dementia and their caregivers. The update also emphasizes the significant strides made in the past year which culminated in groundbreaking advancements in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) treatment and patient care.
In a year of pivotal progress, 2023 witnessed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting traditional approval to a novel drug designed to decelerate the advancement of Alzheimer’s Disease, marking an unprecedented milestone in combating this debilitating condition. In the wake of the FDA’s pivotal announcement in July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a comprehensive, no-cost online database enabling healthcare professionals nationwide to track clinical diagnoses and monitor adverse events in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients. The initiative permits Medicare beneficiaries to access novel treatments while simultaneously enriching the pool of data on the efficacy of these therapies.
Moreover, in a significant policy shift in October, CMS abolished the longstanding restriction limiting beneficiaries to a single PET beta-amyloid scan per lifetime.
In his statement, Secretary Becerra reaffirmed HHS’s unwavering commitment to those grappling with Alzheimer’s, stating, “2023 was a landmark year, and we stand proud of our unwavering resolve which has propelled us closer to unraveling and conquering this merciless affliction. Recognizing the journey ahead, our optimism remains steadfast in our pursuit of brighter outcomes for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.”
The CMS introduced the GUIDE Model, an innovative pilot program from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation designed to elevate the quality of life for individuals with dementia. This program also aims to alleviate the pressure on unpaid caregivers and enable affected individuals to stay within the familiar surroundings of their homes and communities. Through a combination of care coordination, caregiver education, and supportive respite services, the GUIDE Model is inclusive of everyone, cutting across racial and ethnic divides. Notably, the strategy focuses on involving safety-net providers serving marginalized communities and places special emphasis on individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Participant recruitment is currently underway for the GUIDE Model, promising ongoing support across the spectrum of dementia stages and disease progression.
The 2023 update also underscores a plethora of initiatives by HHS and its federal partners over the year to propel this mission forward. The CDC’s landmark National Summit on Dementia Risk Reduction in May stands out as a significant event. The summit was a first-of-its-kind gathering that convened luminary figures in research, public health, and policy to share cutting-edge evidence and identify gaps in reducing dementia risk factors, thereby forging a path toward better prevention strategies.
Enacted in 2011, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act led to the formation of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, which, in turn, tasked the HHS Secretary with the ongoing development and annual refinement of a comprehensive National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. Fashioned through the collaborative efforts of various HHS agencies, other federal departments, and grounded in the counsel from the Advisory Council—comprising healthcare professionals, researchers, caregivers, individuals with dementia, state officials, and advocates—the National Plan embodies a transformative vision with its six overarching goals:
- Achieve Prevention and Effective Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias by 2025
- Elevate the Quality and Efficiency of Care
- Broaden Support for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, alongside Their Families
- Foster Greater Public Awareness and Engagement
- Enhance Data Collection to Monitor Advancements
- Intensify Efforts to Promote Healthy Aging and Diminish Risks Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Given the reality that over six million Americans are currently navigating the complexities of Alzheimer’s or a related dementia—a figure projected to surge to over double by 2060 due to demographic shifts—this disease spectrum stands as both a pressing public health concern and a significant strain on the healthcare infrastructure.