Pass the ENACT Act

Despite years of efforts to ensure that medical research programs are accessible and equal for all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, geography and socioeconomic status, disparities are still impacting underrepresented populations. It doesn’t need to be this way. The ENACT Act can make things better.

The Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials (ENACT) Act (H.R. 3085/S. 1548) would increase the participation of underrepresented populations, specifically Blacks, Hispanics, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans, in Alzheimer’s and other dementia clinical trials. Dementia incidence is highest for Blacks and American Indian/Alaska Native, followed by Hispanics and Pacific Islanders as compared to Whites and Asian-Americans1. The ENACT Act would:

• expand the number of Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in areas with higher concentrations of underrepresented populations,

• increase outreach & awareness of clinical trial opportunities to underrepresented communities and primary care physicians,

• enhance the diversity of staff conducting clinical trials,

• provide incentives for locating Alzheimer’s clinical trial sites in areas with high concentrations of underrepresented populations, and

• encourage community-based engagement strategies to increase clinical trial participation.

We need to make sure this critical bill continues to make its way through Congress. Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in encouraging Representative Houlahan and Senator Toomey to cosponsor the Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials (ENACT) Act (H.R. 3085/S. 1548), which would increase the participation of underrepresented populations in Alzheimer’s and other dementia clinical trials.

And thank Senator Casey for his leadership in cosponsoring the Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials (ENACT) Act (H.R. 3085/S. 1548).