| |
|
The Office for the Study of Aging is Promoting Brain Health
(November 2006)
Recent scientific advances strongly suggest that lifestyle measures aimed at improving brain health may notably reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and cognitive decline. The OSA is helping to lead efforts to reduce the future prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in South Carolina and the nation. We are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Alzheimer's Association, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the AARP, and other brain health partners, to change knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions about brain health, and to promote brain-healthy lifestyle choices.
As part of this work, the OSA is helping to develop a national public health "Roadmap" for brain health. The Roadmap will include agendas for policy, surveillance, communications, and research, all designed to mobilize the public health community into action. Dr. James Laditka co-chaired a national research meeting held at the CDC in May of 2006, which gathered 60 of the nation's leading scientists studying brain health issues. Dr. Laditka also serves on the national Steering Committee of the brain health initiative, as well as a committee that is developing plans for a national surveillance effort on brain health. The OSA is also assisting the Alzheimer's Association in the development of a program specifically designed to promote brain health among African American baby boomers. We know from our work with the OSA that African Americans are at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. One of our goals is to eliminate this brain health disparity.
The OSA is also leading 9 research universities in the Healthy Aging Research Network in a four-year project to better understand how people in various demographic groups think about brain health issues, and to design and implement a national public health intervention to promote behaviors that will protect brain health. In South Carolina, the OSA staff participates in this work by conducting focus groups designed to understand how people think about brain health issues, and how we can intervene to improve health behaviors that are related to the risks of developing brain problems.
Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and being physically inactive are all known risk factors for brain diseases and cognitive decline. Our research at the OSA suggests that learning about the connection between lifestyles and the risks of brain problems may motivate many South Carolinians to improve their lifestyles. This will have far-reaching effects on individual health, on families, and on our state's financial well-being. We are proud that the OSA is helping to lead this developing effort to improve brain health in South Carolina and our nation.
|
 |
