Virginia BOLD Public Health Programs to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias - Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are debilitating conditions that impair memory, thought processes, language, and a person’s ability to carry out daily activities, primarily among older adults. The effects of these diseases can be devastating, both for individuals with ADRD and for their families. The toll on individuals living with the disorder, caregivers, healthcare system, and society is enormous and is expected to increase as the population ages. An estimated 6.5 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2022. In Virginia, 150,000 older adults were estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s disease. This number is expected to grow by 26.7% to 190,000 by 2025. Under BOLD Public Health Programs to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (CDC-RFA-DP23-0010), Virginia Department of Health (VDH) proposes to leverage existing partnerships with Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Alzheimer’s Association, Area Agencies on Aging, universities, faith-based institutions, and other partners to develop and improve systematic public health approaches to addressing ADRD. These approaches will utilize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Healthy Brain Initiative State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: the 2018-2023 Road Map (Road Map) as its framework. VDH will integrate strategies and activities to develop a strong public health approach to reducing the burden of ADRD including risk reduction (primary prevention), early diagnosis (secondary prevention), prevention and management of comorbidities and avoidable hospitalizations (tertiary prevention), using data for priority setting and action, supporting caregiving for persons living with dementia (PLWD), addressing social determinants of health and health inequities, and increasing bi-directional referral amongst partners and providers serving older adults and family caregivers. Increasing evidence suggests that many risk factors including environmental and social factors contribute to the development and progression of late-life dementias. Through its diverse partner networks, state agencies, and internal programs as the Virginia Arthritis Program, LivingWell in Virginia, InnoVAte, Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant, and Prevention Partners in Prayer, Healthy Brain Virginia initiative (HBV) will expand upon its coordinated approach to address ADRD. Under this funding opportunity, HBV will develop and implement statewide and locally reinforced sustainable strategies that address health disparities, modifiable risk factors such as physical activity, nutrition, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, heart disease, and cardio-metabolic conditions through evidenced-based interventions and promising practices (e.g., National Diabetes Prevention Program, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Walk with Ease, and Tai Chi). HBV will education and provide technical assistant and support to organizations that will develop new and enhance existing clinical-community linkages. Across the Commonwealth, Providers of all sectors that interface with PLWD will receive ADRD education that improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide improved support and care that will ultimately decrease risk for developing ADRD and improve health outcomes.
