Matthew Baumgart
Vice President, Health Policy, Alzheimer’s Association
Matthew Baumgart is vice president of Health Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, leading a range of projects at the intersection of policy and programs to achieve an aggressive agenda that serves all those affected by the disease. In this role, he heads the BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction, funded by the CDC. In addition, Baumgart directs the Association's global public policy efforts, working in collaboration with Alzheimer Disease International, the World Dementia Council and the World Health Organization.
Baumgart joined the Association in 2009 and has served in roles overseeing policy development, public health policy initiatives, federal affairs and state government affairs. Under his leadership, the number of states with Alzheimer’s plans grew to 46 plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, driving statewide legislation to address the needs of those facing the disease. Baumgart also managed the Association’s partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to increase recognition of Alzheimer’s as a public health crisis, which included the collection of state-level data, resulting in the first-ever nationwide data set on subjective cognitive decline.
Baumgart has co-authored several highly regarded articles in Alzheimer’s & Dementia®: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, including “Report on milestones for care and support under the U.S. National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease,” and was the lead author of “Summary of the evidence on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia: A population-based perspective.” The latter is one of the most-cited articles on social media platforms in the journal’s history.
Prior to joining the Association, Baumgart spent nearly 20 years working in the U.S. Senate in a variety of roles, including legislative director for Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and legislative assistant for over a decade to Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).
Baumgart has a degree in communications with a second major in political science from Washington State University.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®. For more information, visit alz.org.