Measuring and increasing the brain health span across adulthood: a public health imperative

Abstract

Abstract Extending brain health span – maintaining or improving cognitive, social, and emotional well-being – is critical to aligning health span with lifespan. This study examines 3-year outcomes from 3,966 adults (ages 19–94) in the BrainHealth Project, an online initiative integrating the BrainHealth Index (BHI) with cognitive training, lifestyle modules, and coaching. The BHI, assessed biannually, provides a multidimensional measure across factors of Clarity (cognitive function), Connectedness (social and purpose-driven engagement), and Emotional Balance (mental well-being). Results demonstrate sustained improvements in overall BHI and component factors, independent of baseline scores. Higher engagement with training tools – strategy-based learning, coaching, and brain-healthy habits – was associated with the greatest gains, underscoring the role of self-agency in brain health optimization. Improvements were observed across demographic groups, suggesting benefits regardless of age, gender, or education level. Findings support the potential for scalable, technology-driven interventions to help reduce years of cognitive decline while maximizing brain performance across the lifespan. Future efforts should focus on improving demographic diversity and retention as well as integrating precision brain health into public health initiatives. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04869111 (registered April 27, 2021).