Key points
- The Healthy Brain Initiative aims to improve our understanding of brain health by providing the latest science and tools.
- The initiative also brings bringing partners together to support brain health across the lifespan.
- The Healthy Brain Initiative's Road Map series provides steps to address brain health, the needs of caregivers, and future road maps.
Overview
The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) improves our understanding of brain health as a central part of public health practice. HBI aims to:
- Create and support partnerships to create and promote brain health across the lifespan.
- Collect and report data to inform priorities and decision-making.
- Increase awareness of brain health among members of the public and health professionals.
- Support populations with a high burden of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).
- Promote the use of the Road Map series by public health agencies and their partners:
Working together
CDC is working with funded partners to accomplish the Road Map’s recommended actions.
Award recipients
- NHBI Award Recipients. CDC provides funding to select national organizations to educate, engage, and provide culturally competent information for the public, including those most at risk for ADRD.
- BOLD Public Health Programs Award Recipients. CDC provides funding to national, state, county, and tribal organizations to improve the lives of those with ADRD and to provide support for their caregivers.
Resources
- The Alzheimer’s Association helps develop and track Road Map action items and helps state public health agencies use them.
- NHBI Road Map series and resources. Aligning the actions of the HBI Road Map with the Essential Services of Public Health ensures that these initiatives can easily integrate into ongoing public health efforts.
- NHBI road map series and resources for Indian country. Learn more about the first-ever public health guide focused on dementia in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
- American Indian and Alaskan Native elders are at higher risk of developing dementia. To address this issue, the Association for State Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) developed "Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain" materials to improve understanding about the connection between brain health and heart health.