The Fight Against Alzheimers

Alzheimers research is finally getting the attention it deserves. After a law was passed in 2010 by the Obama administration in support of Alzheimers research, scientists are finally getting closer to possible tests and treatments. If all goes as planned, the Obama administration has proposed a campaign that would help to prevent and treat Alzheimers by 2025. Alzheimers research is a priority in the medical field because so many people are affected by it and the numbers jump each year. As of right now, over 5 million Americans are currently affected by Alzheimers and scientists predict that number could triple by 2050. Substantial process in the research field could be made if the foundation is given more federal funds, which is extremely difficult to do in the harsh economic circumstances. Foundations for cancer, AIDS, and cardiovascular diseases all received much more financial funding than Alzheimers did, but it could be because they have strong support groups. The Alzheimers campaign groups are trying to change that and are hoping to receive more money because unfortunately the research can not be conducted without it. 

This article was featured in the editorial section of the New York Times. The author used only logos in the article as he/she stated many facts about the financial situation of the Alzheimers campaign. I think it was beneficial that the author included statistics about how many people in America were affected by Alzheimers because it proved to the audience that it truly is a problem. I think the article would have been stronger if the author included more facts about Alzheimers itself. I think in an article where the author is looking to gain more funds for their campaign, it is important to affect the author emotionally because it might sway opinions. The author could have included a paragraph about what it is like to have Alzheimers and maybe include some of the struggles people with the disease face everyday. 

The Campaign to Defeat Alzheimers 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/06/opinion/the-campaign-to-defeat-alzheimers.html?ref=opinion