Brain health

This working definition of brain health is a foundation for developing policy, practice, research and advocacy. The definition needs to be operationalised through further development of empirical referents, including cross-cultural understanding, adaptation and validation.
Chen, Y., Demnitz, N., Yamamoto, S., Yaffe, K., Lawlor, B. and Leroi, I. (2021), Defining brain health: A concept analysis. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry.

Yongjun Wang and colleagues discuss the definition of brain health and the opportunities and challenges of future research
BMJ 2020;371:m3683

Dementia has become a major public health concern globally. With no cure available and strong evidence for modifiable risk factors, it is imperative that the public are knowledgeable about dementia and to reduce their risk. The aim of this study was to measure the knowledge of dementia and its risk factors in the Australian public, as well as the number and type of information sources used. An online survey promoted through various social media platforms was completed by 596 Australian adults aged 18–78 years (59% aged 18–44 years; 78% female).
Nagel, A. K., Loetscher, T., Smith, A. E., & Keage, H. A. (2021). What do the public really know about dementia and its risk factors? Dementia, 20(7), 2424–2440.

Acting now on dementia prevention, intervention, and care will vastly improve living and dying for individuals with dementia and their families, and in doing so, will transform the future for society.
Gill Livingston, [et al] 2017 Dementia prevention, intervention, and care, The Lancet, Volume 390, Issue 10113, 2017, Pages 2673-2734,

Many determinants are known to affect brain health at different stages of life. The position paper provides a conceptual framework for what brain health is and how brain health can be optimized throughout life with actions across the following clusters of determinants: physical health, healthy environments, safety and security, learning and social connection, and access to quality services.

The Healthy Brain Program, an initiative of the Brain Foundation, aims to assist Australians to keep their brains healthy into old age, through the provision of community education and research.

CHeBA is an international centre of excellence in multidisciplinary research into the ageing brain and various aspects of cognitive disorders, including dementia.