[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 100 (Friday, June 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
5.7 MILLION AMERICANS ARE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, June is Alzheimer's and
Brain Awareness Month. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death
in the United States.
There is no effective treatment, no means of prevention, and no
method for slowing the progression of the disease. Sadly, one in three
seniors will die with the disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5.7
million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. By 2050 this
number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million Americans.
Mr. Speaker, every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops
this disease. This is unacceptable. Alzheimer's not only has a
devastating impact on those who are diagnosed with the disease, but
also their caregivers and loved ones.
More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care to those living
with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In 2017 these caregivers provided
an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care.
Mr. Speaker, the time to act is now. Let's join the fight; let's take
the pledge to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and to never
stop searching for a cure.
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