Law requires U.S. Alzheimer's strategy

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The draft National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease offers a comprehensive outline for the U.S. strategic plan for Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's experts say.

Officials at the Alzheimer's Association said the initial framework of themes is a significant marker in the process and highlights solutions to the range of challenges raised by Americans from across the country in the Alzheimer's Association report, "Alzheimer's from the Frontlines," and identified by Congress in the passing of the National Alzheimer's Project Act.

The national strategic framework will include outcome-driven objectives, recommendations, implementation steps and accountability in the fight to overcome Alzheimer's. The law also requires coordination of Alzheimer's disease efforts across the federal government, said a statement by the Department of Health and Human Services.

An annually updated national plan must be submitted to Congress on how to overcome Alzheimer's and annual recommendations for priority actions both to improve health outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer's and lower costs to families and government programs, HHS said.

"We expect a detailed plan that includes a timeline, implementation steps and the appropriate commitment necessary to bring the objectives outlined in the framework to fruition," the Alzheimer's Association said.