SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) “California’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease: An Action Plan for 2011–2021” established as its first goal the elimination of stigma, recommending that California heighten public awareness through culturally appropriate public education campaigns.
(b) With 2.2 million Californians directly impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, the third leading cause of death in California, there is significant need to educate the population at risk of the disease in order to promote early detection and diagnosis.
(c) Recent data indicate that there is a significant disparity in detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, resulting in misinformation and lack of information, which contribute to poor health outcomes, increased hospitalization and institutionalization, and higher public and private health care costs.
(d) California’s area agencies on aging are a critical network for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients, caregivers, and providers, offering assistance, information, referral, and support.
(e) Consumers, caregivers, and providers identify stigma as a barrier to accessing early detection and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Overcoming stigma is key to reducing the disparity in detection and diagnosis. Rates of detection and diagnosis are even worse among populations at greater risk, with higher rates of prevalence for African Americans, Latinos, and women.
(f) Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease are critical for improving health outcomes, lowering health care costs, and ensuring access to beneficial interventions, including care plans, education, and support, that are set forth in the latest edition of the California “Alzheimer’s Clinical Care Guideline” published by the State Department of Public Health.
(g) In 2013, unpaid caregivers in California provided 4,140,000,000 hours of care, worth an estimated $57 billion, for their loved ones.