For the first time, the Indian Health Service is allocating funding for Alzheimer’s disease within tribal communities across the United States. IHS announced Monday it is allocating $5 million to help tribes, tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations develop comprehensive and sustainable approaches to addressing Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia.
“These new resources will promote healthy living to reduce cognitive decline, encourage early detection and diagnosis due to dementia, and support caregivers,” IHS Acting Director Elizabeth Fowler said in a statement. “This funding will also provide greater flexibility for awardees to meet the unique needs within their communities.”
A recent study based in 2014 Medicare data estimated the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias was approximately 10.5% in American Indians and Alaska Natives. Between 2014-2060, the number of American Indian and Alaska Natives aged 65 and older living with memory loss is projected to grow over five times. Today, 1 of every 5 American Indian and Alaska Native adults aged 45 and older reports experiencing subjective cognitive decline, which can be a precursor to dementia.
Congress earmarked $10.5 million for Alzheimer’s grants in fiscal year 2021 and 2022. In March 2021, the IHS began investigating how the money could be used and sought feedback on priorities needed to build an Alzheimer’s grant program for federal, tribal and urban Native American organizations. Eligible tribes and tribal organizations can begin applying for the money now. The application deadline is July 18.
The $1.5 trillion spending bill signed by President Joe Biden in March included a nearly $290 million increase in funding for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The number of Alhzeimer’s patients is expected to double over the next 25 years from 6 million to 13 million. Alzheimer’s and dementia-related illnesses cost the nation an estimated $355 billion a year, half of which is covered by Medicare.
