Rethinking how we age: why brain health matters

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Conversations about healthy ageing often focus on the heart, mobility and the management of chronic conditions, leaving out the organ that shapes our memories, relationships,…

Conversations about healthy ageing often focus on the heart, mobility and the management of chronic conditions, leaving out the organ that shapes our memories, relationships, decisions and independence: the brain. That needs to change. Preserving cognitive health and quality of life should be just as central to how we approach ageing well.

The scale of the challenge is considerable. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2021, with nearly 10 million new cases every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for an estimated 60 to 70 per cent of cases. As populations age, the global burden is expected to grow, placing increasing demands on healthcare systems, families and caregivers.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that damages brain cells, gradually affecting memory, thinking, communication and the ability to carry out everyday activities. While it is not an inevitable part of ageing, it remains one of the most significant challenges to healthy longevity.

Making brain health part of everyday health conversations is therefore not simply a medical priority; it is essential to how we think about ageing well. Speaking to The National, Prof. Suhail Al Rukn, President of the Emirates Neurology Society (EMINS), and Shady Ibrahim, Executive Medical Director at Eli Lilly & Company (Lilly Gulf – UAE, Kuwait & Qatar), explain why brain health needs to be at the heart of healthy ageing.

What challenges exist in recognising and addressing cognitive decline within society?

Silence is one of the barriers we must overcome. Despite its growing impact, cognitive decline can remain difficult to discuss. Symptoms may be dismissed as part of growing older, concealed because of fear or met with uncertainty about where to seek help. These findings should concern us.

Encouraging earlier conversations does not mean that every forgotten name or misplaced object…

How…

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