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Get Mad ColumnCAN You Help Find a Cure?: Funding May Mean the Difference Between Life and Death
Spring 2010 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Drug Development Federal Funding Medical Innovation PolicyAfter a long fought battle over how best to structure meaningful health reform legislation, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law in March. Many media sources are reporting on the negative financial impact some health reform provisions might have on the country, but little attention has been focused on positive aspects of the bill that could make a real difference in the lives of many people suffering from, or who will face, serious and life-threatening illnesses. -
Document, TestimonyAlliance President Makes Remarks at a Hearing on Prescription Drug User Fee Act Reauthorization
On April 12th, Alliance President & CEO Daniel Perry presented remarks at a public meeting on the reauthorization process for the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). PDUFA IV, currently set to expire in September of 2012, authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect user fees from companies wishing to submit their products for agency review. The intention is that the fees would be used to provide an additional revenue stream for FDA to hire more staff, improve systems, and establish a better managed drug review process to speed up the delivery of needed therapies to the public. -
Document, ReportThe Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Diabetes
The first volume of The Silver Book was launched in 2006 and has quickly become a trusted resource for health policy practitioners. The Silver Book®: Diabetes is the latest volume in this important collection. Each section in the volume includes charts, statistics, and key findings that together paint a comprehensive picture of the burden of diabetes and the tremendous potential of innovation. Much of the data focuses on the older population. -
ReportPain Management Survey
The Alliance for Aging Research commissioned a nationwide survey of 800 U.S. adults age 65 and older to better understand their attitudes, perceptions and concerns regarding age-related pain management and changes under consideration by the FDA to over-the-counter acetaminophen products. Clarus Research Group conducted the survey on behalf of the Alliance for Aging Research between September 14 and September 18, 2009. Support for the survey was provided by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. -
Get Mad ColumnRestoring a Commitment to Medical Research
Summer 2009
Related topics: Access to Breakthroughs Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Federal Funding Policy Vision LossInvestigators supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are on the cusp of research breakthroughs that may enhance their ability to predict and intervene earlier in the processes of many age-related chronic diseases. -
ReportGray is the New Gold: State of the Science 2009
Optimism in Aging Research is the theme of this year's Gray is the New Gold report, produced by the Kronos Longevity Research Institute. The State of the Science Report was produced just after the new President took office, ushering in an era of optimism and hope within the scientific community. As you read through the report and recognize the potential of the research being conducted within the longevity field, we hope you, too, will feel the same.
Research highlighted in this report includes The Longevity Dividend, Oxidation, inflammation, and insulin resistance, Telomeres and insulin resistance, Physical fitness and exercise training, Calorie restriction, Hormones and aging, and Vitamin D.
To read the report, visit the Kronos Longevity Research Institute website. -
Report2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding
May 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Policy Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's HealthThe 2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding--more than 65 non-partisan disease groups, patient advocates, and foundations--urges Congress and the President to restore a national commitment to medical research on behalf of America's aging population. This year's report of the Task Force calls for a at least a 7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2010. It also presents data on the burden of diseases and conditions that predominately affect older Americans, highlights the emerging research the NIH is doing to decrease these burdens, and serves as a resource for policymakers working to establish the funding levels necessary to advance healthy aging. -
Get Mad ColumnThe Savings and Safety of Drug Importation
The president and Congress are embarking on a fervent campaign to reform our damaged health care system. Few would disagree that there is waste in our current system, and even fewer would disagree with the fact that we need to bring healthcare to the 46 million Americans who are currently uninsured. But, many in Washington and across the country disagree on how to go about financing the massive health care overhaul that lawmakers are now proposing. -
ReportAdvancing Alzheimer's Disease Drug Review as a National Priority
The aging of the baby boom generation continues to put more Americans at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The need for meaningful treatment options to fight the destruction caused by AD has never been greater. This article highlights the pivotal role that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will play in making the review of emerging AD therapies a national priority and ways that various stakeholders are engaging with regulators to meet the challenges posed by the growing AD epidemic.
To read more, visit: Alzheimer's & Dementia -
Get Mad ColumnEmpowering Patients with Information and Improving Care
No one can deny that our country’s health care spending is reaching an unmanageable level. In 2006 we spent over $2 trillion on health care and some experts predict that we’ll be spending twice that much by 2017. While you might assume that population growth is causing these increases—more people usually means more health care—we’re also seeing a rise in the amount of money that we spend on each person. -
Get Mad ColumnElection 2008: Candidates Paying Too Little Attention to the Approaching Silver Tsunami
The 2008 presidential election is upon us and health care reform is at the top of both candidates’ agendas. Democratic Nominee Senator Barack Obama and Republican Nominee Senator John McCain have both offered detailed plans to fix our ailing health care system. -
Feature ArticlePharmaceutical Companies Offer Free Medications to Those in Need
For the 47 million Americans without health insurance, each day is a struggle to find a way to pay for prescription drugs. Older adults, who are often prescribed several medications at a time, can find it even more difficult to pay medical bills. Despite the start of Medicare Part D in 2006, the elderly still spend thousands of dollars a year on prescription drug costs. What many people don’t know is that they may be eligible to receive their medications for free. -
Brochure, ReportThe Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Osteoporosis
The first volume of The Silver Book was launched in 2006 and has quickly become a trusted resource for health policy practitioners. The Silver Book®: Osteoporosis includes charts, statistics, and key findings that together paint a comprehensive picture of the burden of osteoporosis and the tremendous potential of innovation. Much of the data focuses on the older population—those most at risk for osteoporosis-related fractures. -
Get Mad ColumnSenior's Oral Health Care: Nothing to Smile About
Oral health is important to the overall well-being of older Americans. Preventive dental care can head off more expensive dental work and help prevent severe diseases. Unfortunately, dental costs are primarily out-of-pocket for those over 65, and when financially strapped, they may forego regular visits to the dentist. This decision to “do without” can have serious consequences, because the elderly suffer a disproportionate and debilitating amount of oral disease. The facts: -
Alliance ViewsChronic Disease: An Election Issue
With the first 2008 presidential primaries now mere weeks away, issues important to all Americans are gaining momentum in the national dialogue. As voters evaluate the candidates vying for their support, they must decide who best addresses their priorities and concerns. -
Get Mad ColumnTaking Delirium Seriously
For more than one in five patients over 65, hospital stays are complicated by frightening bouts of confusion known as delirium.
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TestimonyFiscal Year 2008 Appropriations for the National Institute on Aging:
U.S. Senate, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
Daniel Perry of the Alliance for Aging Research, and Carol Schutz of the Gerontological Society of America, submitted this testimony on behalf of the Friends of the National Institute on Aging. The testimony called for a 6.7% overall increase for the National Institutes of Health for FY 2008 and additional resources for NIA in order to avoid continued cuts in existing grants and to sustain training and research opportunities for new investigators. -
TestimonyFiscal Year 2007 Appropriations for the National Institute on Aging:
U.S. Senate, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
Daniel Perry of the Alliance for Aging Research, and Carol Schutz of the Gerontological Society of America, submitted this testimony on behalf of the Friends of the National Institute on Aging. The testimony called for a 5% overall increase for the National Institutes of Health for FY 2007 and additional resources for NIA in order to avoid an 18% cut in existing grants and to sustain training and research opportunities for new investigators. -
Alliance ViewsStem Cell Debate
President Bush will disagree, but the House of Representatives has handed him a gift for his second term: a chance to update his Administration’s stem cell policy in a way that would earn him bi-partisan praise for returning American scientists to the forefront of this fast-moving medical frontier. -
Get Mad ColumnEvery Vote Counts for Aging Issues
Americans' choice for president in 2004 will have a direct impact on the lives of seniors. -
Alliance ViewsStem Cell Update
Patient advocates for a variety of debilitating and deadly diseases are banding together to step up research into stem cell science, which may hold very real hope for treatments or cures. -
Alliance ViewsThis Election's Unhealthy Debate Over Health Care
Political consultants this year advised candidates to turn the industry that researches and develops our medicines into a political punching bag. -
Alliance ViewsGuiding Principles
To ensure that its work is consistent and productive, the Alliance has established the following set of five principles, or overarching goals, that guide all Alliance policy and advocacy initiatives: -
TestimonyAgeism in Healthcare Testimony:
Senate Special Committee on Aging
Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research, submitted testimony before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, highlighting a report How American Health Care Fails Older Americans. -
Alliance ViewsOperation NIH Funding
When you have brought the enemy to its knees, you do not turn tail and give up the fight. -
ReportRedesigning Healthcare for an Aging Nation:
A Congressional Forum Sponsored by the Alliance for Aging Research
This report, based on the transcripts of a Congressional forum on March 17, 2003, highlights the experts' opinions on how technological innovation is being used to meet the changing needs of the United States' healthcare system.
Learn more about discoveries in biomedical research and current policies and regulations that may help ensure that future public policy encourages a strong and robust medical research environment. With the impending age boom in 2010, our nation must have a healthcare system in place that is prepared for the millions of Americans who will be living with chronic diseases, and that is able to foster the development of future treatments to meet their needs. -
Get Mad ColumnGet Mad...And Vote!
Campaign commercials, local politician appearances, and issue rallies can only mean one thing…The election season is quickly approaching! -
Get Mad ColumnMedicare Gaps- What's Not Covered
Medicare, simply stated, is the government's contract that it will provide healthcare insurance coverage for older Americans. -
Alliance ViewsA 15-year Retrospective and Look Forward
Fifteen years ago, the study of human aging was largely an academic backwater: the field lacked sufficient funding, public support, and scientific prestige. -
ReportMedical Innovation & the Aging of America:
Council of State Governments Health Policy Forum
This report is based on a transcript of a Council of State Governments' Health Policy Forum that was held to analyze the impact of new medical technologies on individuals' longevity and quality of life, and to assess the short- and long-term benefits/costs of providing access to new technologies as America ages. This report was produced to expand the reach of information from the forum to hopefully add to the development of sound public policy. -
ReportOne Final Gift:
Humanizing the End of Life for Women in America
While boys outnumber girls at birth, women outnumber men by almost 4 to 1 after the age of 95. American women outlive men by an average of 6 years, making the face of aging predominately female.
One Final Gift shows that women are more likely than men to be sicker, poorer, alone, and with greater care needs at the end of their lives. This report identifies the disparities in research and public policies and raises the health, social, emotional, and spiritial concerns that confront many women as they near the end of their lives. It also outlines recommendations on how to best bridge these unacceptable gaps. -
ReportPutting Aging On Hold:
Delaying The Diseases Of Old Age
This in-depth report, presented to the White House Conference on Aging, examines current statistics on the senior population and their health care needs, along with forecasts for the impending Senior Boom.