Connecting to Combat Alzheimer’s
| Without a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, about 13.2 million older Americans are expected to develop this disease by 2050. Researchers are making strides to understand the disease and test better treatments, but at least 50,000 volunteers (with and without Alzheimer’s) are needed to participate in hundreds of clinical trials. People with Alzheimer’s disease, their families, and those who serve them rarely know how to participate in clinical trials, so recruiting research participants is costly and time consuming. This innovation bridges this critical gap. Connecting to Combat Alzheimer’s brings together National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (ADCs) that conduct research with the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) aging services agencies, which annually reach over 10 million older people and family caregivers. With the National Alzheimer’s Plan as a spark, ACL and NIH collaborated across disciplines and learned about each other’s work. Activities have included free webinars and presentations for both the research and aging services communities. The Initiative has helped inform and connect more individuals to the services provided by ACL and help spur a 25 percent increase in prospective research participants. These efforts continue to inspire collaborations at the state, local, and grassroots levels. Websites: |
Connecting to Combat Alzheimer’s
Tens of thousands of volunteers are needed—right now—for research to combat Alzheimer’s disease. This expanding public health problem looms ever larger as Baby Boomers grow older and people live longer. Through the Connecting to Combat Alzheimer’s Initiative, researchers teamed up with a network of community organizations that work with older people and caregivers every day. Together, they found fast, cost-effective ways to identify volunteers, speed up the science, and provide valuable information about services. More details ...
FDA’s Anti-Counterfeit Device
The Food and Drug Administration is committed to protecting the supply chain against counterfeit and unapproved medicines entering the United States through fraudulent sources. As part of this vigilance, the FDA unveiled a new tool for combating counterfeits to protect public safety. The agency announced its Counterfeit Detection Device, version #3 (CD3), a hand-held device developed by FDA scientists used in the field by investigators to detect counterfeit drug products. More details ...
FDA-iRISK: A fast tool for food safety
An innovative way to assess and rank risks from food contamination and predict best solutions. Takes food-safety decision-making capabilities at HHS, the food industry, and around the world to a new level. More details...
Portal System: Linking Healthcare Clinics
The Indian Health Service/California Area Office Portal System is a cost-effective, novel, and easily accessible tool that enables healthcare staff at remote locations throughout California to access discipline specific online communities. These clusters of subject matter experts offer one-stop access for training and technical assistance, including custom helpdesk applications, links to documents and information, knowledge base articles, training videos, peer-to-peer support chat functions, calendar of events, and frequently asked questions. More details...
The Weight of the Nation Campaign
A unique collaboration between the NIH, CDC, Home Box Office, Institute of Medicine, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente, led to the creation of a far-reaching multimedia initiative to mobilize personal and community action to curb and prevent obesity. The Weight of the Nation is a powerful illustration of how federal agencies can work with each and with private funders to use innovative approaches to address obesity within the United States. More details ...
The Body Weight Simulator
With so many weight-loss tools, diets, and exercise programs, why are 2/3 of American adults overweight or obese? The Body Weight Simulator, an innovative online tool for personalized weight management, is a new and effective way that doctors, researchers, and policymakers can address this public health issue using the latest available science. This information is not intended to provide personal medical advice or substitute for the advice of a physician. More details ...
