Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is advocating for improved screening for Alzheimer’s disease while the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has been unable to convene since March 2025. The USPSTF was expected to issue new guidance on cognitive decline but has faced delays in meetings. John Ruiz, a clinical psychology professor and recent task force member, stated that the evidence for dementia screening is not robust and emphasized the need for more funding to strengthen the evidence base.
Kennedy has criticized the USPSTF, labeling the lack of early Alzheimer’s screening as "regulatory malpractice." The task force typically meets three times a year but is not scheduled to meet again until late August, resulting in a hiatus of approximately 17 months. Kennedy has also dismissed the task force's leadership and has not replaced members whose terms expired, potentially leading to significant changes in the panel's composition.
Health experts have expressed concerns that Kennedy may attempt to reshape the USPSTF similarly to how he restructured the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Aaron Carroll, president and CEO of AcademyHealth, warned that this could lead to recommendations that are not evidence-based, potentially impacting insurance coverage for preventive health screenings.
Alzheimer’s disease affects over 7 million Americans, and early detection is considered crucial as new treatments emerge. However, there is ongoing debate among experts regarding the adequacy of evidence supporting routine Alzheimer’s screening. The USPSTF’s recommendations influence which preventive health screenings insurers are required to cover at no cost.
Kennedy has also claimed that the absence of a cure for Alzheimer’s is due to "corruption" at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has faced funding delays affecting several Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers. The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement has accused Kennedy of spreading misinformation and urged him to support scientific progress in Alzheimer’s research.
In response to concerns about Alzheimer’s research funding and screening, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services stated that the department is committed to advancing research in Alzheimer’s disease and other serious health conditions.