Majority of Voters Concerned About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Association
Friday, 3 July 1998

A new nationwide poll shows an overwhelming majority of Americans want freedom from Alzheimer's disease for this Fourth of July — and want that goal achieved by making a bigger investment in research now.

Specifically, 810 registered voters were asked if Congress should appropriate an additional $100 million now for the National Institutes of Health for Alzheimer research. The June poll by Peter D. Hart Research Associates shows:

- 70 percent of Americans are concerned about Alzheimer's, 43 percent "very" concerned,

- 80 percent support $100 million more for research, with 57 percent "strongly" in favor,

- 11 percent not sure and only 9 percent opposed.

"It doesn't surprise me, " said Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) of the poll results. "As our nation ages, it's becoming more common for each of us to have a parent, neighbor or friend affected by this debilitating disease. When the baby boomers get older, we'll have an Alzheimer's epidemic unless we fund the research to stop it. The investment in research now could save us all a tremendous amount later. "

And from the House side, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) said, "The poll shows that a huge majority of Americans are both very familiar with and very concerned about the tragic human and financial costs associated with Alzheimer's disease. Americans overwhelmingly support federally-funded medical research to enhance our understanding of the best ways to treat, prevent and hopefully cure this devastating disease. I will continue to work with my colleagues to see that we meet that challenge head-on. "

Previously, Markey wrote to his House colleagues urging appropriation of the $100 million more needed for NIH for Alzheimer research. Also by large majorities, respondents agreed on the reasons for investing now in increased Alzheimer research:

- 82 percent because baby boomers are nearing the age of highest risk of the disease,

- 79 percent because Alzheimer's can bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid,

- 78 percent to save the younger people "who are already developing Alzheimer's and don't know it" because the disease can take hold as much as 20 years before the first symptoms appear.

Pollsters noted that the results reflected an unusually strong consensus, with the support consistent regardless of age, race, political party, income group, education or other variable. For example, 80 percent of retirees and 78 percent of those 60 and over are either very concerned or fairly concerned about the disease, but so are 76 percent of those aged 40 to 59 and even 63 percent of those under 40.

The poll was conducted June 2-4 by Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Alzheimer's Association. "We knew Americans were concerned, but we were a little surprised at the very high level of that concern, " Alzheimer's Association Vice President Steve McConnell said. "We hope Congress agrees and votes to increase Alzheimer research funding by the necessary $100 million."

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org