A multi-level approach to advancing cognitive health as a public health issue

The public health community is well known for delivering messages to educate and help motivate people to take care of their physical health and enhance their quality of life. However, preserving mental health, particularly cognitive health, is a relatively new area of importance. Bringing a public health perspective to cognitive health requires an inclusive and strategic approach. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alzheimer's Association, in partnership with many organizations, developed A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health. At the national level, the Road Map sets in motion a course of action for making cognitive health a prominent public health issue and preparing society for concerted efforts to maintaining the cognitive health of older Americans. Effective implementation of the actions outlined in the Road Map depends on organizations developing partnerships and their own plans of action, and establishing systems to track their progress. At the state and local level, the Alzheimer's Association is leading the development and pilot testing of a Community Education Project designed to raise awareness of cognitive health among African American baby boomers. The Community Education Project will help at risk populations and/or individuals understand the current state of science around maintaining cognitive health. It also seeks to strengthen and build community partnerships to promote cognitive health as an issue communities need to begin addressing. The key to moving the issue of cognitive health into public health practice lies in organizations and individuals working collaboratively at multiple levels.