Alzheimer's Association Hudson Valley Chapter receives $150,000 grant

The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter has received a $150,000 grant from the Leonard B. Kahn Foundation for minority and physician outreach.

“We are grateful to the Leonard B. Kahn Foundation for its generous support of our mission of increasing awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, both in the medical and minority communities,” said David Sobel, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter. “This funding will be a huge help to our outreach efforts.”

Minority outreach is a key goal of the Alzheimer’s Association, since Hispanics and African-Americans are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than Caucasians, according to the Association’s 2017 Facts and Figures report. According to the report, Hispanics are 1.5 times as likely and African-Americans are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The report notes that this difference is believed to be more lifestyle-related rather than genetic, which makes awareness in these communities critically important.

Physician outreach is another key goal of the Alzheimer’s Association, since physicians play an essential role in early diagnosis of the disease and subsequent treatments to mitigate symptoms. In addition, they are crucial in encouraging patients to aid research by signing up for Trial Match, a clinical research trial matching service coordinated by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org/hudsonvalley or call 800.272.3900.