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AB-385 Alzheimer’s disease: public awareness campaign.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 02/02/2023 09:00 PM
AB385:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 385


Introduced by Assembly Member Ta

February 02, 2023


An act to amend Section 125285 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to Alzheimer’s disease.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 385, as introduced, Ta. Alzheimer’s disease: public awareness campaign.
Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to provide, or contract for the provision of, public and professional education on Alzheimer’s disease for consumers, caregivers, and health care providers.
This bill would require the department to implement a public awareness campaign, as specified, and include education for unpaid caregivers. The bill would also make related legislative findings and declarations.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


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.

SEC. 2.

 Section 125285 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

125285.
 (a) The department shall provide public and professional education through a public awareness campaign on Alzheimer’s disease to educate consumers, caregivers, and health care providers, and unpaid caregivers, including, but not limited to, family and friends who provide care to increase public awareness. someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. If the department determines that contracts are required to implement this section, the department may award these contracts on a sole source basis. The contracts shall not be subject to Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the balance of funds appropriated pursuant to the Budget Act of 2000 for Alzheimer’s disease education shall be available for encumbrance and expenditure until June 30, 2003.
(b) In implementing the public awareness campaign on Alzheimer’s disease as described in subdivision (a), the department shall be informed by its latest edition of the California “Alzheimer’s Clinical Care Guideline.”