The Healthy Brain Connection

The Healthy Brain ConnectionThe Healthy Brain ConnectionThe Healthy Brain Connection
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The Healthy Brain Connection

The Healthy Brain ConnectionThe Healthy Brain ConnectionThe Healthy Brain Connection
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Turning brain health science into action.

Elderly couple walking with a bicycle in a park.

Who we are

The Healthy Brain Connection is a Colorado-based nonprofit focused on turning what we know about brain health and dementia risk reduction into action.

We bridge the gap between research and practice by developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based programs that can work in real communities and healthcare settings. We educate the public and healthcare professionals, build local capacity, connect people with reliable resources and services, and develop practical approaches that can ultimately be delivered sustainably and at scale.

Our goal is simple: make healthy brain aging something people and communities can act on—not just something scientists study.



Smiling family portrait with parents and daughter.

Vision

A future in which every person and community has the knowledge, skills, resources, and support needed to achieve the healthiest brain possible across the life course.


Two women happily looking at a laptop outdoors.

Mission

The Healthy Brain Connection advances healthy brain aging and reduces the risk and impact of dementia by translating scientific evidence into practical, sustainable, and equitable programs, resources, and partnerships for communities and healthcare systems.

We bridge the gap between what is known about brain health and what can be implemented in everyday life—building individual and community capacity, strengthening healthcare practice, educating the public and professionals, and developing and evaluating interventions that can be delivered effectively at scale.

Hope for the future...

The Need

What can be done

What can be done

Cognitive impairment and dementia are not part of normal aging. However they are among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Most people fear losing their memory, , ability to think and plan or carry out daily life the way they want to - yet feel powerless   To influence their risk of cognitive decline or dementia. 


Healthcare providers face challenges of their own. Many report feeling uncomfortable discussing cognitive problems, and are not sure they have anything substantive to offer their patients if they do. Conversations about brain health may happen too late - or not at all.


But there is reason to hope.  Growing evidence shows that many factors that influence brain health can be influenced throughout the lifespan. The challenge is turning what we know into practical, accessible approaches that everyday people and healthcare providers can use.


What can be done

What can be done

What can be done

  Brain health can be protected and promoted throughout life. Our brains are dynamic, and the health of the brain is influenced by many factors—including physical health, mental well-being, social connection, cognitive activity, sleep, and our environment. Many of these factors can be improved or managed, creating opportunities to support healthy brain aging and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.


The science of dementia risk reduction has advanced considerably in the past two decades. Research now identifies a broad range of modifiable factors associated with dementia risk, including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol use, hearing and vision loss, depression, social isolation, traumatic brain injury, and air pollution. The 2024 Lancet Commission concluded that addressing 14 potentially modifiable risk factors could prevent or delay a substantial proportion of dementia cases worldwide.

Strategic pillars

Translate

Translate

Translate

We turn solid science into usable interventions and resources.

Empower

Translate

Translate

We help individuals develop knowledge, skills and self-efficacy for healthy behaviors.

Equip

Translate

Strengthen

We strengthen the knowledge and skills of healthcare and community professionals.

Strengthen

Evaluate and Scale

Strengthen

We build partnerships, referral networks and community capacity.

Evaluate and Scale

Evaluate and Scale

Evaluate and Scale

We determine what works in real-world settings and develop sustainable models for wider implementation.

ho we serve:W

Empower individuals → Equip professionals → Strengthen systems

Individuals

"What can I do to protect my brain?"

Professionals

"How can I incorporate brain health and dementia risk reduction into my practice?"

Systems/communities

"How can we build programs and environments that make healthy brain aging easier and sustainable?

Who we are

The Healthy Brain Connection was founded by Sarah Brannon, Ph.D., a public health scientist and educator. The Healthy Brain Connection is being developed as a collaborative nonprofit organization. 

Find out more

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