Redfield: Response needed for coming Alzheimer’s crisis
In the early 1980s, a mysterious and deadly illness began to emerge, leading many individuals in the prime of their lives to seek help at Walter Reed Medical Center. This illness, later identified as AIDS, struck fear and confusion into the hearts of many, as there was little understanding of its cause or treatment. Over time, it became clear that HIV infection was not merely a precursor to AIDS but the same disease at an earlier stage. Today, with advancements in medical treatment, HIV is recognized as a manageable chronic condition, allowing those infected to live normal, healthy lives without succumbing to the illness. This transformation in the understanding and management of HIV/AIDS provides a hopeful context as we face another looming public health crisis: Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently, over 7 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s, a number expected to nearly double by 2050. The urgency of this situation is underscored by significant investments in research and innovation aimed at combating the disease. Importantly, recent developments, such as the FDA’s approval of a blood test for Alzheimer’s that boasts over 90% accuracy, mark a pivotal moment in our understanding of the disease. Similar to the revolutionary impact of the HIV test, this new diagnostic tool allows for earlier detection of Alzheimer’s, potentially before symptoms manifest. This early identification opens the door to timely interventions that can significantly enhance the quality of life for those diagnosed. Furthermore, two FDA-approved anti-amyloid therapies have shown promise in slowing cognitive decline when administered early, and ongoing research is exploring their efficacy even before symptoms appear.
Dr. Robert R. Redfield, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasizes that just as the federal government coordinated a response to the evolving science of HIV/AIDS, a unified approach is essential for addressing the impending Alzheimer’s crisis. By updating policies to enhance access to early detection and treatment, millions of aging Americans could benefit during the critical early stages of the disease. Drawing from the lessons learned during the AIDS epidemic, there is a compelling opportunity to transform Alzheimer’s from a feared diagnosis into a manageable condition, ultimately reducing suffering and improving the lives of countless individuals and families. As Dr. Redfield reflects on the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, he remains hopeful that similar advancements can be achieved in the battle against Alzheimer’s, paving the way for a brighter future for those affected by this devastating disease.
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
