World Brain Day 2023
What is World Brain Day?
The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) marks July 22nd of every year World Brain Day (WBD). This year, on the 10th anniversary of WBD, the WFN hopes to inspire global initiatives to expand disability awareness and improve health care access for those with disabilities, with the theme being “Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind”. The recording of their webinar can be enjoyed here!
During the webinar, brain health and disability was discussed through five key lenses:
Awareness: global awareness of brain health can reduce the disability associated with brain disorders.
Prevention: brain disabilities can be prevented, treated and rehabilitated.
Advocacy: brain health is a human right.
Access: universal access to all types of care is essential.
Education: sufficient education increases equity for those affected by brain disabilities.
Themes of WBD from previous years include: Brain Health & Aging Population (2016) Clean Air for Brain Health (2018), and Migraine (2019).
Keep Up Your Brain Health!
Alzhemer’s Association and John Hopkins Medicine provide some tips to keep up your brain health!
Find ways to break a sweat - Regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body has been found by several studies to be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Eat your fruits and veggies - A balanced diet that is lower in fat and sugars and higher in vegetables and fruit has been shown to reduce cognitive decline. Research on diet and cognitive function is limited, but certain diets such as the Mediterranean-DASH that focus on veggies, fruits, and whole grains, may contribute to risk reduction.
Get your Z’s in - Two common barriers to a good night’s rest are obstructive sleep apnea and stress. There’s evidence that sleep disorders can cause problems with mental functions.
Stay socially engaged - pursuing activities and relationships that are meaningful to you support your brain health. Sign up for a new Brain Wellness Program that you might be interested in to develop those connections and learn some new skills.
“There is no scientific study more vital to man than the study of his own brain. Our entire view of the universe depends on it.” ― Francis Crick
