While most people in a recent survey said they would encourage a loved one to seek early diagnosis if they suspected Alzheimer’s disease, when faced with the reality, only a small number sought out early diagnosis.
Voters for the American Express Members Project recently chose the Alzheimer’s Disease: Early Detection Matters campaign as the project they would most like to see funded. Close to 90,000 card members cast a vote—choosing from more than 1,000 potential projects. In the end, the winner was a campaign that will educate people about the importance of early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s—receiving $1.5 million in funding.
Chronic Disease and Depression
Two studies have been published recently that talk about depression—but not as a stand-alone diagnosis. They discuss both heart disease and diabetes and the high comorbidity of depression.
Misconceptions about aortic stenosis can be deadly. About 4% of older Americans have been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, and in a recent Alliance survey, relatively few general practice physicians reported feeling confident when diagnosing and recommending treatment for the disease. Most general practitioners and geriatricians choose to refer their patients to a cardiologist instead of diagnosing or treating patients themselves.
Standing up to Cancer
A couple weeks ago, NBC, ABC, and CBS aired a special entitled Stand Up To Cancer. Stand Up To Cancer is a charitable services fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, and its purpose is to raise funds for what the campaign founders call “dream teams” of interdisciplinary and multi-institutional researchers. The founders believe that the scientific knowledge to beat cancer is there, but funding is preventing advancement from occurring.
Data on Chronic Disease Helps Inform the Debate
While Senators Obama and McCain agree on few things when it comes to overhauling the American health care system, both have acknowledged the importance of a plan that addresses chronic disease—the primary driver of health care costs.




