Redfield: Response needed for coming Alzheimer’s crisis
In the early 1980s, a mysterious and devastating disease began to emerge, claiming the lives of countless individuals at Walter Reed Medical Center. This disease, later identified as AIDS, left its victims and the medical community grappling with fear, confusion, and stigma, as there was no known cause or treatment at the time. Over the years, significant advancements led to the understanding that HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, could be managed as a chronic condition, allowing those infected to lead normal lives. Today, we stand at the precipice of another public health crisis: Alzheimer’s disease, which currently affects over 7 million Americans and is projected to nearly double by 2050. Drawing parallels between the two health crises, Dr. Robert R. Redfield emphasizes the importance of leveraging lessons learned from the AIDS epidemic to tackle Alzheimer’s effectively.
Recent strides in Alzheimer’s research offer hope for early detection and treatment. The FDA’s approval of a blood test that boasts over 90% accuracy marks a significant milestone in understanding Alzheimer’s, akin to the transformative impact of HIV testing for AIDS. This advancement enables researchers to identify individuals even before they exhibit symptoms, allowing for timely interventions that could significantly enhance the quality of life for those at risk. Furthermore, two FDA-approved anti-amyloid therapies have shown promise in slowing cognitive decline when administered early, and ongoing studies are exploring their effectiveness prior to symptom onset. Alongside pharmacological advancements, lifestyle modifications—such as improved nutrition, regular exercise, and effective blood pressure management—have also been shown to bolster cognitive health, illustrating a multi-faceted approach to combating Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Redfield advocates for a coordinated national response akin to the federal efforts during the HIV/AIDS crisis, emphasizing the need for updated policies that reflect current scientific understanding. By expanding access to early detection and treatment, millions of aging Americans could benefit from interventions during crucial early stages of the disease. The lessons learned from the transformation of HIV/AIDS from a fatal illness to a manageable condition provide a hopeful framework for addressing Alzheimer’s. With concerted effort and commitment, there is potential to redefine Alzheimer’s not as a death sentence, but as a manageable health issue, ultimately improving the lives of millions facing this daunting diagnosis.
In the early 1980s, men and women in the prime of their lives began arriving at Walter Reed Medical Center, wrecked by a disease for which we had no name, no cause and no hope.
Those early stages of the AIDS epidemic were marked by fear, confusion and stigma. It took years to understand what was happening, to learn that HIV infection was not merely a risk factor for AIDS, but the same disease at an earlier stage. Now we know that HIV can be a manageable chronic condition when treated, and people with HIV can live normal lives without becoming critically ill.
Today, the generation that survived that crisis is aging into the next public health emergency. Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 7 million Americans, and cases are expected to nearly double by 2050. We have poured billions of dollars into scientific research and medical innovation already. We know enough to lay the groundwork for a national response to Alzheimer’s and reduce suffering for millions. By learning from the AIDS epidemic, we can bring about the day when Alzheimer’s is no longer a death sentence but a manageable condition.
The Food and Drug Administration this year approved a blood test for Alzheimer’s that showed greater than 90% accuracy in clinical studies. Researchers are now using similar tests in clinical trials to identify people even before overt symptoms appear. These tests fundamentally change our understanding of the disease, just as the HIV test did for AIDS.
The question of when Alzheimer’s begins is not a theoretical one. It sets the starting line for diagnostics and treatment options. Earlier detection means more opportunity for early-stage interventions, which can extend independence and quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s. We now have two FDA-approved anti-amyloid therapies shown to slow cognitive decline when used soon after symptoms start. They are now being studied before symptoms appear. In addition, recent research has shown that a mix of better nutrition, exercise and blood pressure control can measurably improve cognitive health.
Just as the federal government took coordinated action as HIV/AIDS science evolved, we need an urgent and unified response to the coming Alzheimer’s crisis. The road map is largely a matter of updating policy to match the current science.
For example, it can expand access to early detection and treatment, so millions of aging Americans have options during the early window when intervention is most effective.
Over my career, nothing has been more powerful than witnessing the transformation of HIV/AIDS from a death sentence to a chronic, treatable condition. We have the chance to do the same with Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Robert R. Redfield, a former Centers of Disease and Control Prevention director, spent 20 years at Walter Reed Medical Center. He is associate director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine./Tribune News Service
