CDC’s Healthy Brain Research Network

Healthy Brain Research Network logo

The Healthy Brain Research Network, a previously funded Prevention Research Center Thematic Network (2014–2019), was established to address two growing public health challenges: promoting cognitive health and addressing the needs of older Americans living with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. The network’s efforts were guided by CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative: The Public Health Road Map for State and National Partnerships, 2013–2018 pdf icon[PDF – 2 MB] and The Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia, The 2018-2023 Road Map pdf icon[PDF – 19 MB].

The following are 2-page summaries highlighting the completed work conducted by six leading academic institutions across the United States.

The mission of the Healthy Brain Research Network pdf icon[PDF – 1 MB]external icon

  • Establish and advance a public health research, translation, and dissemination agenda that promotes cognitive health and healthy aging, addresses cognitive impairment, and helps meet the needs of care partners.
  • Build a strong evidence-base for policy, communication, and programmatic interventions.
  • Collaborate with public health agencies and their partners to accelerate effective practices in states and communities.
  • Build the capacity of public health professionals through training opportunities.

Activities included:

  • Analyzing cognitive decline and caregiving data including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BFRSS).
  • Developing and testing culturally relevant messages about cognitive health.
  • Training National HBRN scholars.
  • Conducting systematic reviews of emerging cognitive aging research.
  • Providing technical assistance to states developing and implementing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia action plans.