Redfield: Response needed for coming Alzheimer’s crisis
In the early 1980s, the medical community was confronted with a mysterious and devastating disease that would ultimately be identified as AIDS, which initially left many patients at Walter Reed Medical Center without hope. The early years of the AIDS epidemic were characterized by immense fear, confusion, and societal stigma, as the medical community grappled with understanding the disease’s nature. Over time, it became clear that HIV was not merely a precursor to AIDS but was, in fact, the same disease at an earlier stage. Today, thanks to advancements in medical research and treatment, HIV has transitioned from a fatal diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition, allowing individuals to live normal lives free from the shadows of critical illness.
Now, as the generation that endured the AIDS crisis ages, we face another public health challenge: Alzheimer’s disease. Currently affecting over 7 million Americans, the number of cases is projected to nearly double by 2050. Drawing on lessons learned from the AIDS epidemic, experts believe we can transform Alzheimer’s from a terminal illness into a manageable condition. Recent breakthroughs, such as the FDA’s approval of a blood test for Alzheimer’s with over 90% accuracy, mark a pivotal shift in our understanding of the disease. This test allows for the identification of Alzheimer’s even before symptoms manifest, much like the early detection strategies that revolutionized HIV treatment. With two FDA-approved anti-amyloid therapies now available to slow cognitive decline if administered early, the potential for early intervention is greater than ever.
To address the impending Alzheimer’s crisis, a coordinated national response is essential, mirroring the federal government’s actions during the evolution of HIV/AIDS science. Key strategies include expanding access to early detection and treatment options, which can significantly improve the quality of life for millions of aging Americans. As Dr. Robert R. Redfield, a former CDC director, emphasizes, the transformation of HIV/AIDS into a treatable condition serves as a powerful reminder that similar progress is possible for Alzheimer’s. By updating policies to reflect current scientific advancements and prioritizing early intervention, we can usher in a new era of hope and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s 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
