| Editor, As a New Mexican, I am concerned by the rapidly growing public health crisis of Alzheimer’s disease. There are 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's — by 2050, it could reach 16 million. They are cared for by 15 million unpaid family caregivers. In New Mexico 38,000 citizens live with Alzheimer's (expected to reach 53,000 by 2025) and they are cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers. I am a volunteer advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, N.M. Chapter, because I believe that this disease affects us all. Alzheimer's is the most expensive disease in America — at $259 billion annually. It is the sixth leading cause of death with no cure, treatment or prevention. It kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. The time to do something is now. We need your voice to let our lawmakers know that Alzheimer’s is a priority. We are asking for your help advocating for increased funding to the National Institutes of Health for Alzheimer’s research and the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PECHTA) (S. 2748/H.R. 3119) that would ensure a well-trained work force in this field. I ask you to contact your member of Congress today and tell them to make Alzheimer’s a priority! Your NM Delegation is: Sen Martin Heinrich (D-NM-51), Sen Tom Udall (D-NM-03), Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM-03), Rep. Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D- NM-01), Rep. Stevan Pearce (R-NM-02). Thank you, David Esquibel Daily Lobo Reader |
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