The latest edition of Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures contains a special report, based on a survey conducted in partnership with IHPI’s National Poll on Healthy Aging.

Titled “Brain Health in America: Understanding and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health,” the special report includes data gathered in early 2026 from a poll of a nationally representative sample of more than 3,800 people age 40 and up.

The data show that nearly all (99%) say maintaining brain health — how well individuals think, learn and remember — is at least as important as physical health. Yet only 9% say they know a lot about how to maintain it.

More than two-thirds worry about their brain health and about developing Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Most believe lifestyle behaviors are very important for brain health. Fewer than half strongly link these behaviors with reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Two in three Americans (66%) said they prefer to learn about brain health from their health care provider, and most individuals (86%) want brain health information during routine care. Yet only 14% of adults report having a conversation about maintaining brain health with their physician; even fewer (11%) have discussed ways to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

More information is available in the full report here.