Redfield: Response needed for coming Alzheimer’s crisis
In the early 1980s, a mysterious illness began to afflict individuals at Walter Reed Medical Center, leaving many in dire conditions without a name, cause, or hope for recovery. This marked the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, a time characterized by fear, confusion, and societal stigma. Over the years, as our understanding of HIV evolved, it became clear that the virus was not merely a precursor to AIDS but the same disease in its earlier stages. Today, with advancements in treatment, HIV is recognized as a manageable chronic condition, allowing those infected to lead normal lives without succumbing to severe illness. This historical context serves as a poignant reminder of the progress that can be made in public health crises.
Now, as we face a new public health challenge with Alzheimer’s disease, which currently affects over 7 million Americans and is projected to nearly double by 2050, there is a pressing need to apply the lessons learned from the AIDS epidemic. Significant investments have already been made in research and innovation regarding Alzheimer’s, and we are beginning to see promising developments. For instance, the FDA recently approved a blood test for Alzheimer’s that boasts over 90% accuracy in clinical studies, a breakthrough that mirrors the transformative impact of the HIV test in the fight against AIDS. This early detection capability is crucial as it allows for interventions before the onset of overt symptoms, potentially extending the quality of life for those diagnosed.
To effectively combat the impending Alzheimer’s crisis, a coordinated and urgent national response is essential, much like the governmental actions taken during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This involves updating policies to enhance access to early detection and treatment options, ensuring that millions of aging Americans can benefit from timely interventions. With two FDA-approved therapies now available that can slow cognitive decline when administered early, and ongoing research into lifestyle factors that can improve cognitive health, we stand at a pivotal moment. Dr. Robert R. Redfield, former director of the CDC and now involved in Alzheimer’s research, emphasizes the profound potential we have to transform Alzheimer’s from a feared prognosis into a manageable condition, much like the journey witnessed with HIV/AIDS. The time to act is now, as we have the knowledge and tools to make a significant difference in 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
