Alzheimer's disease costs American businesses $33.16 billion per year,
according to a study commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association released on
Tuesday.
The study found that the bulk of the figure, $26.02 billion, is related
to
caregiver absenteeism. Caregivers' own absences cost $7.89 billion annually.
Another $13.22 billion is incurred due to loss in productivity by both the
caregivers and their co-workers, who suffer from the so-called "domino
effect" of absenteeism.
The remaining $7.14 billion of the total $33.16 billion is paid by
businesses toward the cost of health insurance and taxes.
The study was conducted by Ross Kopel of the sociology department of the
University of Pennsylvania and head of the Social Research Corporation of
Wyncote, Pa., and David Ford of Solutions for Progress, a Philadelphia
research firm.
"The $33.16 billion figure is probably a very low estimate," Koppel
said
of the study in a press release from the Alzheimer's Association. "If all
the
relevant factors could be measured, the actual cost might well be two or
three
times higher."
The nonprofit Alzheimer's Association contributes $10 million per year to
Alzheimer's research and has vowed to increase its support, during the
course
of the next three years, to $30 million, according to Elaine Sproat,
executive
director of the Alzheimer's Association, Mid-Hudson Chapter.
The association is pressing for a $100 million increase in federal
support
of research, which currently provides $340 million per year. "This study is
just one more important reason Congress should help us conquer this disease
by
increasing federal Alzheimer's research funding," Sproat said.
Federal backing may soar
By next year, federal support could jump to $400 million per year if a
bill, proposed by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn., and backed unanimously by the
Senate Appropriations Committee, is approved by Congress. The increase in
support would go toward research on Alzheimer's and other aging-related
disorders.
"Last spring we lobbied in Washington, D.C.," said Sproat. "We got
almost unanimous bipartisan support from the local (congressional)
representatives."
Representatives Sue Kelly, R-Katonah, Maurice Hinchey, D-Saugerties,
Gerald
Solomon, R,C-Glen Falls, and Benjamin Gilman, R-Middletown, signed a pledge
to
support a $100 million increase in funding when it comes to a vote before
Congress. "We were delighted at that," said Sproat. The association also
received letters of support from Sens. Alfonse D'Amato and Daniel Patrick
Moynihan.
Local businesses have been generous in supporting the cause, according to
Sproat. "We've established a local business partnership program that has
been
very successful," she said. "Stop & Shop is the major business supporter
with a pledge of $5,000." Other local supporters include Foam & Wash Car
Washes and IBM Corp.
