A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health

Maintaining one's cognitive health, or brain health, is a vital part of healthy aging. Many older adults mistakenly believe that becoming "senile" or forgetting is a normal part of aging. However, recent scientific research suggests that there are things you can do to maintain your cognitive health as you age.

CDC, in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association and other partners, has just released The Healthy Brain Initiative: A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health . The Road Map is being released at a critical time as increasing scientific interest and the demands of a burgeoning aging population meet in seeking substantially enhanced efforts related to maintaining cognitive function. This landmark document is both a call to action and a guide for a coordinated approach to moving cognitive health into the national public health arena.

Cognitive health refers to skills such as learning, memory, decision-making, and planning. There are certain changes in cognitive health that occur with age. Normal changes usually mean a slower pace of learning and the need for new information to be repeated. The majority of older adults will experience these normal changes. However, some will experience more pronounced cognitive decline and have increased risk for developing dementia.

Among Americans 65 years and older, approximately 6–10% have dementia; two-thirds of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease. Although research has not yet found a way to prevent dementia or Alzheimer's disease, recent scientific evidence suggests that being physically active, controlling your hypertension, and engaging in social activities may help you maintain your cognitive health. The Healthy Brain Initiative: A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health sets in motion a course of action to build on these and other promising findings and to establish cognitive health as a national public health priority.

Additional Information

• The Healthy Brain Initiative: A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health
• Healthy Aging Program