Reducing Georgian’s Dementia Risk through Healthy Living: Leveraging Partnerships to Promote Brain Health
Abstract
In Georgia, there are approximately 150,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease with an expected increase to 190,000 by 2025. By 2050, nearly 13 million Americans could be living with Alzheimer's, with costs of care reaching nearly $1 trillion. A strong public health response can mitigate the future impact of Alzheimer's by utilizing common public health tools and techniques. These include:
-Early detection and diagnosis.
-Reducing risky health behaviors.
-Collecting and using surveillance data.
-Developing workforce competencies.
-Mobilizing partnerships across entire communities.
Research shows an early diagnosis and access to services and support can allow individuals to live independently longer and promote a good quality of life for themselves and their care partners. This workshop will highlight an education program that explores typical age-related changes, describes common signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and shares resources. Additionally, research shows that the adoption of a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Health education plays a vital role in arming communities and public health professionals with knowledge to reduce risky health behaviors and promote lifestyle adaptations.
Additionally, this workshop will highlight a risk reduction education program that promotes habits that help to keep our brains healthy as we age and possibly delay the onset of cognitive decline. This education program covers four areas of lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging:
-Cognitive activity.
-Physical health and exercise.
-Diet and nutrition.
-Social engagement.
This workshop will highlight available resources and explore opportunities for public health professionals and health districts and departments to leverage partnerships to reduce barriers and increase access to dementia education and resources.
Keywords
brain health, education, promotion, risk reduction, community engagement, community health, early detection
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Reducing Georgian’s Dementia Risk through Healthy Living: Leveraging Partnerships to Promote Brain Health
In Georgia, there are approximately 150,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease with an expected increase to 190,000 by 2025. By 2050, nearly 13 million Americans could be living with Alzheimer's, with costs of care reaching nearly $1 trillion. A strong public health response can mitigate the future impact of Alzheimer's by utilizing common public health tools and techniques. These include:
-Early detection and diagnosis.
-Reducing risky health behaviors.
-Collecting and using surveillance data.
-Developing workforce competencies.
-Mobilizing partnerships across entire communities.
Research shows an early diagnosis and access to services and support can allow individuals to live independently longer and promote a good quality of life for themselves and their care partners. This workshop will highlight an education program that explores typical age-related changes, describes common signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and shares resources. Additionally, research shows that the adoption of a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Health education plays a vital role in arming communities and public health professionals with knowledge to reduce risky health behaviors and promote lifestyle adaptations.
Additionally, this workshop will highlight a risk reduction education program that promotes habits that help to keep our brains healthy as we age and possibly delay the onset of cognitive decline. This education program covers four areas of lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging:
-Cognitive activity.
-Physical health and exercise.
-Diet and nutrition.
-Social engagement.
This workshop will highlight available resources and explore opportunities for public health professionals and health districts and departments to leverage partnerships to reduce barriers and increase access to dementia education and resources.
