Healthy Body Healthy Brain

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened the Promoting Cognitive Health Partners Meeting to share new research on ways to reach out to older adults and caregivers to maintain a healthy body and a healthy brain. The research builds on The Healthy Brain Initiative: A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health published in 2007. The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/aging/

Researchers shared preliminary information about how diverse groups of older adults view cognitive health and impairment. The results of the inquiry will assist in the crafting of a message intended to inspire older adults to take action to maintain their health – brain and body. Researchers conducted 75 focus groups in 9 locations around the country. The same scripts were used in each setting to provide some uniformity. The presenters noted that different cultures use different terms to describe cognitive health. Common themes emerged including social involvement - being around people, mental attitude - maintain a good outlook, alertness - clear minded, physical activity - staying busy,and spirituality- being active in a faith community.

Findings from the research and implications for the future will be published in the Gerontologist in the spring 2009 edition. Partners at the meeting discussed gaps in efforts to promote good cognitive health including lack of assessment tools, no one trusted source for information, brain health is often not considered when discussing overall health and stigma of a diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Participants discussed options for distributing the findings and taking other appropriate actions. AARP and the Alzheimer's Association are currently aiming messages at baby boomers to take care of one's cognitive health. Participants highlighted that health care professionals, policy makers and aging services providers must also be pursued with the message to include brain health when discussing overall health.