Alzheimer's & Dementias
Above Median Funding/DALYCategory: Neurologic
Alzheimer's and related dementias receive the highest funding-per-DALY of any disease studied: $1,183 per DALY in 2019, rising further with the 2024 increase to $3.6 billion. This represents a 350%+ funding increase since 2008, driven by bipartisan congressional action.
DALYs / year
2,026,882
GBD 2019
Share of US Burden
1.8%
of all DALYs
NIH Funding
$3.6B
FY 2024
Funding per DALY
$1,183
Median: $218
Key Facts
- Affects ~6.7 million Americans aged 65+
- Responsible for ~2 million DALYs annually
- NIH funding surged from $504 million (2013) to $3.6 billion (2024)
- Highest funding-per-DALY ratio of major diseases: ~$1,183 in 2019
How Does This Compare?
COPD
$22
Stroke
$91
Lung Cancer
$100
Ischemic Heart Disease
$161
Depressive Disorders
$218
Diabetes
$246
Drug Use Disorders
$250
Chronic Kidney Disease
$284
→ Alzheimer's & Dementias
$1,183
Funding per DALY = NIH FY 2019 spending ÷ GBD 2019 DALYs. Lower = more underfunded relative to burden.
Sources
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