Alzheimer's prevention and treatment bill signed into law

Abstract

Legislation to help create a national public health infrastructure to combat Alzheimer's and preserve brain health was signed into law on Dec. 3, 2018, the Association for Health Care Journalists reported Jan. 3. The BOLD (Building Our Largest Dementia) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act authorizes $100 million over five years to develop this infrastructure. It establishes Alzheimer's Centers of Excellence with a focus on evidence‐based interventions in Alzheimer's disease. It also funds state and local public health departments to promote cognitive health, reduce risk, improve early detection and diagnosis and better meet the needs of caregivers. The initiative includes provisions for educating public health officials, health professionals and the public on current Alzheimer's and dementia information and research, including cognitive decline, brain health and health disparities. The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act also will increase collection, analysis and timely reporting of data on cognitive decline and caregiving to inform future public health actions.