---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 280c–4"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "280c–4"
heading: "Promotion of public health knowledge and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/280c-4"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties"
  - "Part K — Health Care Services in the Home and Public Health Programs for Dementia"
  - "Subpart ii — programs with respect to alzheimer’s disease and related dementias"
---

# §280c–4. Promotion of public health knowledge and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

- (a) **Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias public health centers of excellence—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), in coordination with the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the heads of other [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) as appropriate, shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities, such as institutions of higher education, [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), tribal, and local health departments, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, associations, or other appropriate entities for the establishment or support of regional centers to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by—
    - (A) advancing the awareness of public health officials, health care professionals, and the public, on the most current information and research related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including cognitive decline, brain health, and associated health disparities;
    - (B) identifying and translating promising research findings, such as findings from research and activities conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, including Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers authorized by [section 285e–2 of this title](/usc/42/285e–2.md), into evidence-based programmatic interventions for populations with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and caregivers for such populations; and
    - (C) expanding activities, including through public-private partnerships related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and associated health disparities.
  - (2) **Requirements—** To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection, an entity shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) an application containing such agreements and information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require, including a description of how the entity will—
    - (A) coordinate, as applicable, with existing Federal, [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), and tribal [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias;
    - (B) examine, evaluate, and promote evidence-based interventions for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including underserved populations with such conditions, and those who provide care for such individuals; and
    - (C) prioritize activities relating to—
      - (i) expanding efforts, as appropriate, to implement evidence-based [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including through the training of [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), local, and tribal public health officials and other health professionals on such [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19);
      - (ii) supporting early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias;
      - (iii) reducing the risk of potentially avoidable hospitalizations of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias;
      - (iv) reducing the risk of cognitive decline and cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias;
      - (v) enhancing support to meet the needs of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias;
      - (vi) reducing health disparities related to the care and support of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias;
      - (vii) supporting care planning and management for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; and
      - (viii) supporting other relevant activities identified by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) or the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as appropriate.
  - (3) **Considerations—** In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall consider, among other factors, whether the entity—
    - (A) provides [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) to rural areas or other underserved populations;
    - (B) is able to build on an existing infrastructure of [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and public health research; and
    - (C) has experience with providing care or caregiver support, or has experience conducting research related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
  - (4) **Distribution of awards—** In awarding grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subsection, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), to the extent practicable, shall ensure equitable distribution of awards based on geographic area, including consideration of rural areas, and the burden of the disease within sub-populations.
  - (5) **Data reporting and program oversight—** With respect to a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under this subsection, not later than 90 days after the end of the first year of the period of assistance, and annually thereafter for the duration of the grant, contract, or agreement (including the duration of any renewal period as provided for under [paragraph (5)](#a-5)), the entity shall submit data, as appropriate, to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) regarding—
    - (A) the [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and activities funded under the grant, contract, or agreement; and
    - (B) outcomes related to such [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and activities.
- (b) **Improving data on State and national prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall, as appropriate, improve the analysis and timely reporting of data on the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Such data may include, as appropriate, information on cognitive decline, caregiving, and health disparities experienced by individuals with cognitive decline and their caregivers. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities for activities under this paragraph.
  - (2) **Eligibility—** To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection, an entity shall be a public or [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entity, including institutions of higher education, [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), local, and tribal health departments, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may require.
  - (3) **Data sources—** The analysis, timely public reporting, and dissemination of data under this subsection may be carried out using data sources such as the following:
    - (A) The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
    - (B) The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
    - (C) The National Health Interview Survey.
- (c) **Improved coordination—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall ensure that activities and [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) related to dementia under this section do not unnecessarily duplicate activities and [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) of other [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and offices within the Department of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 398A, as added Pub. L. 115–406, § 2(2)(B), Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5362.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 280c–4, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 398A, formerly § 399, as added Pub. L. 100–175, title VI, § 602, Nov. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 982; renumbered § 398A, Pub. L. 102–321, title V, § 502(1), July 10, 1992, 106 Stat. 427; amended Pub. L. 105–392, title III, § 302(b), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3586, related to the requirement of matching funds, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–406, § 2(2)(B), Dec. 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 5362.