THURS-080 - Advancing Brain Health Through Dementia Risk Reduction Campaigns: A Toolkit for Public Health Agencies

Brief Abstract Summary: Approximately two-thirds of Americans have at least one major modifiable risk factor for dementia, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or obesity. With Alzheimer’s cases projected to reach 8.4 million by 2030, public health efforts to reduce risk are urgently needed. Decades of research show strong links between lifestyle and dementia risk, presenting an opportunity to promote brain health. The BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction (Center) launched a new resource, Messaging Dementia Risk Reduction Across Communities: A Toolkit For Public Health Agencies to help create culturally responsive campaigns. The toolkit includes information from surveys, focus groups, case studies, and a four-step framework: identifying needs, mapping partnerships, crafting inclusive messaging, and evaluating impact. An interactive session will introduce the toolkit and equip participants to design community-specific campaigns aligned with public health priorities.

Detailed abstract description: Approximately two-thirds of Americans have at least one major modifiable risk factor for dementia, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or obesity. With nearly 7.2 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s and projections nearing 8.4 million by 2030, the urgency for public health action across all levels of prevention—primary, secondary, and tertiary—has never been greater. Strong evidence over decades of research has shown the relationship between health behaviors and dementia risk. There is now compelling evidence that highlights the potential of lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. This presents a critical opportunity for public health agencies to leverage Essential Public Health Service #3 - communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it- as a key strategy to raise awareness and educate communities about brain health and dementia risk reduction.

Although many individuals are aware of the general importance of reducing dementia risk, they often lack specific knowledge, including the evidence around theories of dementia risk reduction, conceptual knowledge, and how to apply this knowledge to daily behaviors. To support awareness and education efforts, the BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction (Center) launched a new resource, Messaging Dementia Risk Reduction Across Communities: A Toolkit For Public Health Agencies.

The Center, in partnership with Wake Forest University School of Medicine, held a research roundtable to convene researchers and public health officials to discuss scientific evidence on how to best drive effective public health action to reduce dementia risk and lessons learned from other chronic disease prevention efforts. Insights from surveys, focus groups, and the roundtable informed the development of a comprehensive communications toolkit designed to support culturally responsive messaging campaigns using relevant communication channels. The toolkit includes an overview of the evidence-based guidance to behavior change, case studies, and a four-step framework to effectively create and launch a dementia risk reduction messaging campaign: 1) Identification of Needs, 2) Partnership Mapping, 3) Messaging to Reach Diverse Audiences, and 4) Implementation and Evaluation.

This interactive session will introduce the toolkit, share foundational insights, and highlight existing dementia risk reduction campaigns. Participants will engage in an activity to build the knowledge and skills needed to design culturally responsive, community-specific messaging campaigns that align with local public health priorities in their community.