WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal government has awarded $200,000 to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), in partnership with the Maine Office of Aging and Disability Service, to establish a comprehensive approach to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and expand public health partner initiatives on research, clinical education, and caregiver support.

The funding, per a news release, was awarded through the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.

The BOLD Act authorized $100 million over five years to develop a public health approach that will improve prevention, treatment, and care for Alzheimer’s disease.

Approximately 5.5 million Americans — and 28,000 Mainers — are living with Alzheimer’s, the release noted.

This disease costs the United States more than $277 billion per year, including $186 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid, per the release.

Without further action, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is expected to triple to as many as 14 million by 2050, costing the nation more than $1.1 trillion per year, the release stated.