Sunday, May 5, 2024
5/5/2024
Through a collaboration between Kentucky's Department of Public Health and the Office of Dementia Services in the Department of Aging and Independent Living, a joint approach to connecting dementia advocates across public health and aging domains will be established. This cooperative project allows the opportunity to increase collaboration among various communities, advocacy groups and professional sectors throughout Kentucky's varied regions. This grant enables two of Kentucky's departments to unite efforts and merge community connections to establish effective programs, supports, services, and actions to improve dementia awareness and risk reduction in our enormous at-risk populations. Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of death of people over 65 in the United States. By 2060, approximately 14 million people are expected to have Alzheimer's Disease, a nearly three-fold increase. Over 75,000 Kentuckians have been diagnosed with this disease, the 7th leading cause of death in the state. Although age, genetics and family history cannot be changed, other risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia can be altered or modified. Physical activity, smoking, education, social and mental activity, blood pressure and diet are all modifiable risk factors. Kentucky continuously ranks as one of the least healthy states in America, with over 15% of adults living with three or more chronic health conditions. Although all regions of Kentucky fare more poorly than the nation, rates of chronic disease remain highest across rural Eastern Kentucky and with the African American community. Arthritis, asthma, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression and diabetes rank are all significant health concerns and issues in Kentucky that directly correlate with an increased risk of dementia. The Office of Dementia Services and the Kentucky Department for Public Health will collaborate to create a statewide Alzheimer's and Related Disease Coalition. The Coalition will be responsible for many building components. The Coalition directs and coordinates a community needs assessment to identify the diverse needs across Kentucky's 120 counties. The Coalition will establish community priorities to identify the most effective Healthy Brain Initiatives to implement and lead to include within the ADRD strategic plan during phase one. Using the knowledge gained from the needs assessment, community connections and the strategic plan, the Coalition will develop a plan to implement risk reduction strategies, advance early detection, and ensure safety and quality of care for this growing population. It is essential that Kentucky builds a dementia infrastructure within Public Health and the Department for Aging and Independent Living to establish approaches to provide dementia awareness across its rural and urban counties. Establishing education and knowledge to the citizens of Kentucky, health care providers and community advocates about the importance of brain health, cognitive aging, dementia risk reduction, early detection and diagnosis, treatment care and services, and prevention and management of comorbidities will help prevent hospitalizations and poor health outcomes to individuals with a dementia diagnosis and those play the vital caregiver role.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
