Estimates show that 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and almost two-thirds of those are women. One in 10 individuals over the age of 65 have the disease and, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 65 seconds someone develops this health condition. Few of us are untouched by this brain health epidemic, yet we are doing far too little to build awareness and encourage conversation around it.
That’s why we were so inspired by participating in the Be Brain Powerful launch event. This campaign, powered by the broader initiative, UsAgainstAlzheimers, and the Brain Health Partnership, encourages women to prioritize taking care of their brain health in the same way as other aspects of their physical health. The campaign highlights the myriad ways we can “Be Brain Powerful,” and is a call to action for women of all generations. A highlight of the event was an interview between former First Lady, Laura Bush, and Susan Spencer, the editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day magazine. During the interview, Mrs. Bush shared some of the steps she and President Bush take to maintain their brain health, such as going to bed early, eating healthy, and exercising. Though we may all be familiar with these kinds of healthy habits, because we talk so little about brain health, we often don’t think of them in the context of protecting this vital organ of the body. Following the interview, there was a reception where attendees were encouraged to write down their own #braingoals — actions each of us could take to promote our brain health.
We left feeling inspired and empowered to take a stronger stand for women’s brain health, starting with the small, daily steps we can all take. Thank you to Woman’s Day and to former First Lady Laura Bush for their generosity and wisdom. We are honored and grateful to be partners of this vital campaign that is bringing us all closer to our vision of a flawless world.
