Awareness for Alzheimer’s disease

By Senator Markwayne Mullin

June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to encourage national conversation about brain health and raise awareness to improve health care outcomes. Over six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Of that number, 67,000 are Oklahomans. Anyone who is impacted by Alzheimer’s understands the gravity of this disease and the hardship endured by both the individual and the loved ones surrounding them.

Some estimate the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s may triple by 2060. Now more than ever, we must prioritize innovation and access to beat this statistic and work together to end Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In 2023, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the U.S. an estimated $345 billion. By 2050, these costs could rise to nearly $1 trillion. The incentive for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is not just personal but economical as well.

This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Oklahomans who are working to advance research and improve the lives of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are over 129,000 Oklahomans who are providing care to family or friends who have Alzheimer’s. Special thank you to organizations like the Okla-