Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Less than a year after joining Broward Health for the signing of the Ramping up Education of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia for You (READY) Act, Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham returned to Broward County today to open further dialogue on how the state of Florida – and Broward County as its hub – could continue leading efforts for research, education and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, while also addressing the growing needs of Alzheimer's caregivers.
In addition to the secretary and members from Elder Affairs, leaders from Broward Health and Florida Atlantic University, were on hand to learn more about what initiatives the Department of Elder Affairs is driving and how the two health systems can play a role in collaborating in Alzheimer’s care.
More than half-a-million Floridians are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to jump by 24% in just two years. In addition, almost one million Floridians are currently caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
While Secretary Branham, physicians and health leaders affirmed that caring for impacted individuals is the first priority, they also reiterated the need for more research. Both Broward Heath and Florida Atlantic University are currently participating in a clinical trial, in partnership with Insightec, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using focused ultrasound to disrupt the blood-brain barrier in patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease, potentially enabling amyloid plaque, which has long been a suspected cause of Alzheimer’s, to be reduced.
To learn more about clinical trials, visit Clinical-Trials.
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, a dynamic academic partnership with Florida Atlantic University, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $1.6 billion, and annually provides more than $522.6 million of charity and uncompensated care.
For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.
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