New York, NY, February 12, 2004—Today, National Urban League President Marc H. Morial, joined with the Alzheimer\\\'s Association, Dr. Judith Salerno, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging, James Parkel, president of AARP, "Inside Edition" anchor Deborah Norville, and columnist Jeanne Phillips of the "Dear Abby" column, to launch a national campaign urging the nation\\\'s baby boomers to "Maintain Your Brain" in the fight against Alzheimer\\\'s. By 2030, the number of Americans with Alzheimer\\\'s is projected to increase 70 percent with 7.7 million people affected, among them a significant number of African Americans. Studies suggest that Alzheimer\\\'s disease occurs almost twice as often among African Americans as among whites.

"African-Americans must wake up to the threat of Alzheimer\\\'s," said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League. "Increasing evidence suggests that simple life-style changes including managing high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and obesity can contribute to healthier aging and may decrease the risk of the disease."

As part of the campaign launch, the group released a new survey that finds that less than half of Americans know that treatments are now available that can ease symptoms and improve quality of life, and that most African Americans (37 percent) believe that Alzheimer\\\'s is a normal part of aging as compared to all Americans (25 percent). More research is needed that focuses on brain health and prevention measures that should begin earlier in life before the onset of the disease.

Other survey findings include:

• Only one quarter (26 percent) of adults are personally concerned about Alzheimer\\\'s disease, despite the fact that nearly half know someone who has the disease.
• Fewer than one in five (17 percent) believe that nothing can be done to reduce the chance of getting Alzheimer\\\'s or that nothing can be done to help a person who has the disease (18 percent).
• Even though scientists have made huge leaps in their understanding of Alzheimer\\\'s over the past 15 years, only 29% of Americans surveyed think scientists are on the brink of more significant advances.
• Only one-quarter believe a cure will be found in their lifetime

The campaign will target the nation\\\'s 77 million baby boomers (individuals born between 1946 and 1964).

"I am especially pleased to participate in the campaign\\\'s launch given the Alzheimer\\\'s Association commitment this year to studying the effect of Alzheimer\\\'s among African Americans, Hispanics and Asian/Pacific-Islanders," said Morial.

According to the association the disease in blacks is often under-reported and diagnosed at later stages, which limits the effectiveness of treatments that depend on early detection. African Americans are also under-represented in clinical trails for potential treatments.