July 22 marks World Brain Day, a global observance emphasizing the importance of brain health. The Alzheimer's Association is leveraging this occasion to launch its new '(re)think your brain' initiative, which aims to translate the latest brain health research into practical, everyday habits. Despite growing interest in brain health, a significant gap exists between awareness and action. According to the Alzheimer's Association 2026 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, nearly 9 in 10 people consider brain health important, yet only 1 in 10 know how to maintain it.
The '(re)think your brain' initiative is designed to close that gap. It encourages individuals to adopt a 6-Step Challenge that includes rethinking habits, daily routines, movement, diet, mental engagement, and long-term health monitoring. For instance, the challenge prompts people to check their current habits and create a personalized brain health action plan, start with one habit and gradually incorporate changes, engage in regular physical activity, improve nutrition, challenge the brain by learning something new, and monitor health while inviting a friend to join the journey.
“The Alzheimer's Association is committed to translating the latest science into practical guidance people can understand and use right away to proactively care for their brain health,” said Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. “Through '(re)think your brain', we're helping people take meaningful steps today to help support brain health for years to come.”
New research indicates that healthy lifestyle choices, including how you move, what you eat, how you sleep, and how you engage your mind, may help protect memory and thinking and potentially reduce the risk of dementia. For too long, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias were viewed as conditions to address only after symptoms appeared, but this initiative reflects a shift toward proactive brain health management.
This World Brain Day, the Alzheimer's Association invites everyone to (re)think what brain health can really mean and to begin building brain-healthy habits. For more information and to start the 6-Step Challenge, visit www.rethinkyourbrain.org.
