Throughout history, public health has had an overwhelmingly positive effect on population wellness. As a result, people are living longer in communities all over the country. But as the size of the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans living with cognitive decline and dementia. Just as with other chronic conditions, the best way to reduce risk, detect problems early and improve safety and quality of care is to act now.

The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map, updated for 2023-2027, is a framework designed to help public health professionals lead with urgency and act for impact in their communities to improve brain health across the life course and support caregivers.

 

Road Map to guide the public health response

Download the HBI Road Map, 2023-2027

Experts have developed 24 actions for public health leaders to promote brain health, better care for people living with cognitive impairment and increase support for caregivers.

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The overarching vision of the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) is that everyone deserves a life with the healthiest brain possible. Since 2005, the HBI has been working to implement public health strategies that promote brain health, address dementia, and support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Public health systems play a crucial role in impacting brain health. These systems include various public, private, and voluntary entities that deliver essential public health services within a jurisdiction. The Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027 expands on previous progress, promotes equity by integrating brain health and caregiving into state and local public health practices, and addresses the social factors that impact brain health throughout a person's life.

What's New in the 2023-2027 Road Map

Public health agencies play a vital role in translating scientific advancements into actionable strategies for communities. In light of the growing evidence supporting risk reduction and the advancements made in the fields of brain health, dementia and caregiving, the 2023-2027 HBI Road Map features a stronger emphasis on partnerships, health equity and evaluation. Learn more about the key changes (PDF).

Resources and data for health departments

Health departments emerging as leaders and foundational partners in addressing the growing impact of Alzheimer's, cognitive decline, and dementia caregiving. They are using innovative public health approaches to prioritize healthy aging, older adults and dementia across all communities. An implementation guide, an evaluation tool and several topic-specific issue maps will be available in the fall.

Find public health information for every state

Select a state to see the impact of Alzheimer’s and how local governments and organizations are addressing the crisis.

 

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Conceptual framework

The conceptual model for the HBI shows the principles and essential services described in the text.

The framework of the HBI Road Map consists of four domains built from the Essential Public Health Services:

  • Strengthen partnerships and policies: Public health strengthens, supports and mobilizes community partnerships to improve brain health. It also creates, champions and implements supportive policies and plans.
  • Measure, evaluate and utilize data: Public health monitors health status to identify and solve community health problems and evaluates effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services. Findings are translated into data-informed programs and policies to improve brain health across the life course.
  • Build a diverse and skilled workforce: Public health trains and prepares the public health and health care workforce to educate their constituents and provide the best care to people at risk for or living with dementia while supporting caregivers.
  • Engage and educate the public: Public health engages with diverse communities to understand how messages are best delivered and what information to convey to specific populations. Public health communicates effectively to educate people about factors that influence brain health and ways to maintain or improve their cognitive health and quality of life.

The framework is centered on the principles of health equity and surrounded by the areas of practice across the life course — risk reduction, early detection and diagnosis, caregiving, and community-clinical linkages. The framework depicts the interconnectedness of these elements showing the essential nature of each in a successful strategy to improve brain health.

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History of the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Series

Healthy Brain Initiative logoIn 2005, Congress first appropriated funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to focus on brain health and dementia for the first time. This action led to the HBI and the longstanding collaboration between the Alzheimer’s Association and CDC to advance understanding of and support for cognitive decline as a central part of public health practice. Since that time, HBI partners have worked together to implement public health strategies that promote brain health, address dementia and help better support caregivers.

The Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Series guides this effort. In addition to the 2023-2027 HBI Road Map, the series includes:

  • Road Map for Indian Country, 2019 — The 2019 HBI Road Map for Indian Country is the first public health guide focused on dementia in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This Road Map offers eight broad public health strategies designed to support discussion about dementia and caregiving within tribal communities and to encourage a public health approach as part of a larger holistic response.

And past editions:

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