The newest Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a valuable resource to help partners take action to address the ever-growing challenges of cognitive decline throughout the population.

The latest version offers 24 actionable strategies to promote brain health, improve diagnoses, and maximize care in every community. With new additions that align with existing public health initiatives, the HBI Road Map is designed to guide and empower partners in their efforts to reduce the risk and impact of dementia throughout society.

Since the initial creation of the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) in 2005, HBI partners have worked together to implement public health strategies that promote brain health, address dementia and support people with dementia and their caregivers. The Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Series guides this effort by creating a framework for public health action. It reflects the longstanding collaboration between the Alzheimer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advance understanding and inclusion of cognitive decline as a central part of public health practice.

This newest Road Map in the series — Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023–2027 — is a guidebook for state and local public health practitioners to address brain health in their communities.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly to review this resource to help advance local and regional initiatives.