Our brains change as we grow older. Studies show that older adults fear mental decline or memory loss as much as—or more than—other physical ailments, including heart disease and stroke. In a recent Roper survey, 71 percent of adults said they "worry most" about not being alert and experiencing memory loss as they get older.
With more than 40 million Americans over the age of 65 nationwide, helping people understand normal aging, learn to recognize signs for concern, and take steps to optimize their brain health as they age is more important than ever.
To help people do just that—and understand brain health in the context of overall health—the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching the What is Brain Health? campaign. The campaign provides information about how the brain changes over time, and steps people can take to help keep their brains sharp. The campaign also offers tips for talking with loved ones and health care practitioners about symptoms if they arise.
“We all need to think about brain health the way we think about our hearts and joints. This means seeking information and, ultimately, taking action—including talking to a health care provider with any questions or concerns,” said Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of the Administration for Community Living.
Brain Health Public Service Announcements
Academy-Award winning actress Marcia Gay Harden stars in a light-hearted series of radio and television public service announcements that are the heart of the campaign. The PSAs are a non-anxiety-producing way for viewers to learn how to help reduce some risks to their brains. The PSAs can also be viewed anytime at brainhealth.gov.
Brainhealth.gov
The campaign website anchors the campaign, with all television public service announcements, advertisements, and social media all driving traffic to the official website: brainhealth.gov. All channels point audiences toward answers to the question “What is Brain Health?”
The What is Brain Health? website includes:
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Simple actions every person can take to promote brain health
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Marcia Gay Harden’s personal connection to the issue
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Educational Videos
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Links to social media, including Facebook and Twitter feeds
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Testimonials from real people
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Interactive feature that shows how the brain changes with age
To learn more about the campaign, brain health, and how the brain ages, visit brainhealth.gov.
About the Administration for Community Living (ACL)
All Americans—including people with disabilities and older adults—should be able to live at home with the supports they need, participating in communities that value their contributions. ACL works with states, tribal organizations, community service providers, and families to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults and people with disabilities across the lifespan, as well as their families and caregivers.