HR 9233: The Bipartisan Healthy Brains Act
On August 1, 2024, U.S. Representatives Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced the Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research And Innovation in Neurological Science (HEALTHY BRAINS) Act.
The ALS Network proudly supports the bipartisan Healthy Brains Act (HR 9233).
“Neurodegenerative diseases currently affect more than 50 million people worldwide, and as one of those people impacted, I understand firsthand how devastating these diseases are for them and their families,” said Rep. Wexton. “The best way we can do better for these families is by ensuring no other family has to go through what theirs, and mine, have. We have a lot of work to do to understand how to prevent these diseases in the first place. That’s why I’m proud to lead the bipartisan HEALTHY BRAINS Act alongside my friend Rep. Bilirakis to step up our work to research how environmental factors lead to neurodegenerative diseases like my PSP and help save lives.”
“We know that research is the key to developing a better understanding of diseases and holds the promise for the development of more effective treatments and potential cures,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Through the HEALTHY BRAINS Act we are investing in research that will hopefully help us better understand the underlying factors that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. I am optimistic about how the implications can help us improve health outcomes for millions of Americans who are suffering with these horrific ailments.”
The HEALTHY BRAINS Act aims to accelerate research into environmental risks associated with neurodegenerative diseases by directing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create Collaborative Centers for Neurodegenerative Disease Environmental Research. These centers will conduct and support basic, applied, and clinical studies on the impact of environmental risk factors. Each center will collaborate with a diverse group of partners and stakeholders, including researchers, health professionals, nonprofit organizations, patients, and caregivers. Additionally, the bill encourages centers to pursue optional initiatives, such as developing a nationwide neurodegenerative disease data system, creating a resource hub to enhance knowledge of environmental risk factors, and offering training and educational opportunities to promote a national focus on these environmental risks.
This important legislation directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the relationship between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. This research is crucial in our fight to uncover the root causes of these diseases and develop new prevention strategies, treatments, and cures.
We commend these efforts and Reps. Wexton and Bilirakis for their leadership and dedication to this cause. We can drive the change needed to cure ALS together.