Celebrating Earth Day - Let's Move The World
Photo credit: Nuria Rius
A message from our executive director:
Dear friends,
This month, as we celebrate Earth Day, let’s consider how maintaining the wellbeing of our planet also translates to the wellbeing of our brains.
The connection of air pollution and brain health trajectories has been known for years, featuring in the Lancet Commission report as a modifiable risk factor for dementia.
Recent research has illuminated the significant risk air pollutants make for developing brains of children and the increased sensitivity experienced by older adults, especially following lifelong exposure. Taking action to address collaborations between environmental health and brain health advocates is vital.
As emphasized by leading expert, Dr. Jennifer Ailshire, regulations for air pollution standards tend to be driven by empirical evidence over the entire life course, rather than focusing on older adults specifically. “And the problem [is] that there are adverse health impacts at lower levels of pollution for older adults than there are for younger adults.” As she states, we need to advocate with a louder voice for mitigating this heightened risk, and ensuring in so doing that all of our brain health will benefit by the resulting improved air quality.
Reimagining one way forward toward environmental wellbeing coupled with global brain health are Dr. Agustin Ibanez and Dr. Harris Eyre. These international brain health leaders propose adopting a green brain capital model which can enable synergistically protecting brain health while promoting environmental sustainability on a global scale. Another model to consider was reported by Atlantic Fellow and epidemiology/medical officer at the Ministry of Health in Malaysia following conversations surrounding COP29. Similarly to the model reported by Drs. Ibanez and Eyre, this approach also acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities but additionally calls for collaboration alongside those impacted and centering Indigenous approaches in identifying solutions. How do these approaches resonate with you?
We encourage you to embrace the synergy between environmental health and brain health in your every day spaces. In this month’s issue, read about ways to embrace nature to inspire your brain health today, tune into our conversation with Dr. Adolfo Garcia on how our brains understand action language and save the date for an evening of dance with Brooklyn-based people living with dementia and care partners!
In care and appreciation,
