Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for almost 1 in every 4 deaths.¹ NIH-sponsored research and improved cancer control has helped to make significant gains in the fight against cancer. A study looking at the status of cancer in the U.S. between 1975-2005 found a significant decrease in incidence and death rates from all cancers combined in men and women overall.² But, the risk for being diagnosed with cancer increases with age1 and a recent study projected overall cancer incidence will increase by about 45% from 2010-2030, accounted for largely by cancer diagnoses in older Americans and minorities.³ A robust research effort is needed to better understand the development, treatment and prevention of cancer, and its interaction with the aging process. Such research could yield enormous health and economic benefits and allow older Americans to live healthier lives for longer.

 

1   American Cancer Society.  Cancer Facts and Figures 2009. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2009.

2   Jemal A, et al. Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975-2005, Featuring Trends in Lung Cancer, Tobacco Use and Tobacco Control.  Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2008) 100(23):1672-1694.

3   Smith BD, et al.  Future of Cancer Incidence in the United States: Burdens Upon an Aging, Changing Nation.  Journal of Clinical Oncology (2009) 27(17): 2758-2765.

Diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease in the U.S., particularly among older Americans, and can lead to numerous costly and disabling complications and a reduction in quality of life. Research has yielded breakthrough findings about ways to prevent or delay diabetes development and various treatments but there is still no cure. A targeted and sustained research effort to more clearly understand the development, treatment and prevention of diabetes, and its interaction with the aging process, could have enormous health and economic implications, and enable older Americans to live more independent, productive and healthier lives for longer.

Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease affect millions of Americans and lead to disability, cognitive and physical function decline and loss of independence. The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease is increasing age and the disease is expected to become more prevalent as the number of older Americans increases over the next few decades.¹ Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the U.S. with an estimated 60,000 new cases diagnosed every year.² Research has yielded breakthrough findings about interventions to treat Parkinson's Disease symptoms but it is still not known how to halt the progression or cure the disease.⁴ Similarly, research has shed light on lifestyle factors which may help maintain cognitive health and drugs to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's, but no cure exists for Alzheimer's and there are no known treatments that stop or reverse its progression.¹ A targeted and sustained research effort to more clearly understand these diseases, including their development, progression and interaction with the aging process, could have tremendous health and economic implications for millions of Americans.

 

1   Alzheimer’s Association. 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Available online at: http://www.alz.org/national/documents/report_alzfactsfigures2009.pdf. Accessed 6/29/09.

2   National Parkinson Foundation website. Available online at: http://www.parkinson.org. Accessed 6/29/09.

3   Parkinson’s Action Network website. Available online at: http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/About-Parkinson-s-Disease.html. Accessed 6/29/09.

4   NINDS website. “Parkinson’s Disease: Hope Through Research.” Available online at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons disease.htm. Accessed 6/29/09.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease and stroke, is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S., accounting for 864,500 deaths in 2005.¹ CVD prevalence is higher among older Americans¹ and, as baby boomers age, deaths from heart disease and stroke are expected to increase.² Research has yielded breakthrough findings on CVD prevention and treatment, such as effective medications, procedures and lifestyle changes, and annual death rates from CVD have declined over the past few decades for the U.S. population, but there is still no cure.² A continued, robust research effort to better understand the development, treatment and prevention of CVD, and its interaction with the aging process, is needed. Such research findings could have enormous health and economic benefits and allow older Americans to live more independent, productive and healthier lives for longer.

 

1   American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics--2009 Update. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2009.

2   USDHHS. A Public Health Action Plan to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke. Atlanta, GA: CDC, 2003.

3   High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.heart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2114

4   Stroke Facts: CDC Website. Available at: http://www.cdc.org/stroke/stroke_facts.htm

5   American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3044587

6   CDC. Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Addressing the Nation's Leading Killers, 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.org/nccdphp/publications/AAG/dhdsp.htm

All sources accessed June 29,2009.