Brain health is defined by the CDC as “an ability to perform all the mental processes of cognition, including the ability to learn and judge, use language and remember.”

Healthy aging, according to the World Health Organization, is “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age”

The 2022 Cuyahoga County Community Health Needs Assessment identified older adults as a priority population, highlighting Alzheimer’s disease as an area of concern. Per 2020 data from the Alzheimer’s Association, Cuyahoga County has the highest estimated prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in Ohio.

In response to these findings, we have been working to increase access to local brain health and healthy aging data, and encouraging community members to prioritize their brain health through outreach efforts. We are committed to supporting healthy aging and brain health in Cuyahoga County.

Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI)

In 2025, we were selected as one of ten local health departments nationwide to participate in the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategists Program. The program was designed to help build our capacity, and that of our partners, to address brain health in our county.

Our efforts focused on helping organizations to make data-informed decisions and take action. To increase awareness and show the impact of brain health and dementia, we developed several data products, making county-level data more accessible.

Since the HBI Road Map Strategist Program ended, we have continued to promote brain health through outreach and education.

Age-Friendly Public Health System (AFPHS)

In 2026, our agency received advanced level recognition as an Age-Friendly Public Health System (AFPHS) through Trust for America’s Health national AFPHS initiative. This acknowledgment honors our commitment to healthy aging. To achieve this status, we completed actions in each of the domains from Trust for America’s Health 6Cs Framework for Creating Age-Friendly Public Health Systems.

The AFPHS initiative prioritizes public health’s role in healthy aging and encourages all state and local public health departments to make healthy aging a core function.

Healthy Habits for Your Brain

Your brain health matters! It is never too late to start healthy habits to help lower your risk of developing cognitive decline and possibly dementia. These habits include things like being smoke free, getting good quality sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight. Learn more about healthy habits for your brain:

10 Healthy Habits for Brain Health (English)

10 Healthy Habits for Brain Health (Spanish)

Helmet Safety Guidelines
Wearing a helmet is one of the 10 healthy habits for brain health.

S. POINTER Study Brain Health Recipe
The Alzheimer’s Association’s U.S. POINTER Study showed the impact that healthy behaviors have on brain health.
It includes information about physical activity, cognitive exercise and monitoring your health.

Early Detection of Dementia

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is a general term for loss of memory and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Learn more by watching this video, which includes an ASL interpreter from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Have you noticed any changes in your thinking or memory? If so, do not ignore them. Talk with your doctor. Detecting these changes early gives you more time to explore treatment options and plan for the future.

For additional help and support:

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Association Helpline – 800.272.3900

Alzheimer’s Association Website