SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is applauding a proposed $300 million increase for Alzheimer’s research that would help scientists reach the goal of preventing and effectively treating the disease by 2025.

House Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., made the proposal last week. Alzheimer’s advocates said the proposal is a milestone toward reaching the levels deemed necessary by scientists to realize the goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease — to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s by 2025.

“This legislation is critical as our nation addresses the ever growing concern of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” said executive director of the Utah Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Ronnie Daniel. “Utah is expected to have a 45 percent increase in the number of people affected by this devastating disease over the next 10 years unless research can produce a breakthrough to slow or cure it.”

Over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 29,000 Utahns, and as many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050, according to the Utah chapter.

More than 1,000 advocates from all 50 states gathered at the nation’s capital in March to ask their legislators for the $300 million increase for Alzheimer’s research. In April, Robert Egge, executive vice president of government affairs at the Alzheimer’s Association, testified in Congress, outlining the threat that Alzheimer’s disease poses:

— More than 5 million Americans and their 15 million unpaid caregivers are affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

— Already the most expensive disease in the country, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, the cost of Alzheimer’s to the nation will more than quadruple to $1.1 trillion over the next generation, threatening family savings and the future of Medicare.

— Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

Daniel said he is excited Congress is giving attention to the need for further research.