19-02-2025
Federal grant freeze halts dementia, Alzheimer's in veterans research in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Federal grant freezes are impacting many institutions and programs including some right here in the Las Vegas valley.
Jason Flatt, an associate professor at UNLV's School of Public Health said a $1.4 million dollar grant from the Defense Health Agency was approved back in November 2024. However, on Thursday learned that it was defunded.
'This is something very personal to me. My great grandfather, my grandfather as well as I have family members and friends are all veterans and so this work is in honor of those people,' Flatt said. 'So, we got a letter that basically said they had intended to fund it. I think it was at the final sign offs and then they were pulling it given current executive orders, they were no longer going to fund us.'
The work focuses on military veterans and LGBTQ+ veterans and their risks of Alzheimer's and dementia and the obstacles caregivers face in providing resources and care.
Flatt vocalized this project was crucial in addressing those healthcare concerns, as those in the LGBTQ+ community and military veterans face higher health risks due to military-related factors like PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, along with high rates of depression and anxiety.
'We have a large number of veteran communities here in Las Vegas and elsewhere that really would benefit from learning about their needs and ensuring that the people who fought for our freedoms have the rights to care and resources,' explained Flatt.
Flatt told 8 News Now he spent over two years gathering data, preparing for the project's proposal, and collecting a team of experts.
'It was a competitive process, they only funded two grants, only two and it's called the Transforming Care Award and we were one of the two.' Flatt commented.
His team includes graduate students, military veterans, and healthcare workers in Nevada and in other states, which will all now be impacted.
'Right now I have funding to support my team through August and after that we'll have to explore what happens,' Flatt said. 'Or if any of my other grants are unfortunately impacted by an executive order right, people will get laid off,' added Flatt. 'I'm supporting right now two full-time staff and five graduate students just at UNLV, that's not the other people at other institutions being supported by the work. '
Flatt said while this decision may be a setback, he's not giving up and is looking for funding elsewhere and will continue this work, by raising support.
'We're trying not to speculate what will happen, we're trying to generate awareness and the whole reason why I'm in public health is to make an impact on improving people's lives and that's why I do this work,' Flatt beamed.
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