Brain health, longevity, and quality of life have recently become a focus for many. As families and consumers tackle global health crises—neurodegenerative conditions and mental health—bringing brain health into the spotlight is critical to a future without dementia. It is a unique time when individuals and organizations can help make a significant impact by raising awareness and supporting change.
The Global Ageing Network + Social Impact Partners: Global Brain Health and Longevity Initiative
The Global Ageing Network is proud to announce a collaborative partnership with Social Impact Partners (SIP), a global nonprofit organization convening a powerful multisectoral and multigenerational consortium focused on combating dementia and embracing brain health and healthy aging. Co-founder and Chairman Sarah Hoit served as a technology CEO in the senior living space and lost her husband to frontotemporal and Lewy Body dementia in 2022. With personal and professional ties to this fight and in coordination with dedicated leaders, creating SIP’s Global Brain Health and Longevity Initiative was driven by passion as much as it was of global necessity.
The Global Ageing Network participated in SIP’s Brain Health Innovation Olympics as part of its growing partnership. “At the Global Ageing Network, we understand the critical importance of addressing brain health concerns and fostering innovative solutions to improve the lives of older adults,” said Katie Smith Sloan, Executive Director of the Global Ageing Network. “That’s why we are proud to be part of this collaborative initiative led by Social Impact Partners, which brings together a diverse array of stakeholders united to revolutionize brain health care and promote longevity for all.”
Creating Brain Health Centers of Excellence
At the core of SIP’s Brain Health Innovation Olympics is participation from global executives, brain health experts, and student leaders worldwide. Since the program’s launch in 2023, more than 100 youth leaders from 10 countries have contributed to conducting research and devising innovative business concepts in brain health and longevity.
The second season of this program concluded in March 2024, with a central focus on developing ideas and building criteria to create Brain Health Centers of Excellence in the senior living space. Emerging trends and winning concepts incorporated the pillars of brain health, Food as Medicine, AI integration, autonomous living communities, employee reinvention strategies, prescriptive nutrition plans, concepts for brain health investment funds, and many more.
“What we do every day, what we eat, how we sleep, our stress levels, our exercise impact 70 to 80% of our health outcomes. Knowing this, we feel compelled to come together to determine and deliver best practices in all the places we live, work, and age,” said Sarah Hoit. “We encourage leaders and organizations to join us in this critical mission because the challenges we face in brain health profoundly affect us all.”
The Impact of Food as Medicine
People can make intentional decisions every day that have the power to influence their health outcomes. With the understanding of such measurements as the Social Determinants of Health, there has never been a greater opportunity to take control of personal health by incorporating Food as Medicine practices.
Within SIP’s Global Consortium are executive leaders and organizations like Sodexo, the world’s leader in sustainable food and valued experiences, serving more than 100 million people daily in 53 countries. Serving consumers across the lifespan positions Sodexo to encourage Food as Medicine initiatives around the world.
“We believe that food’s impact on healthy living, healthy aging, and brain health is profound, and we are committed to being a part of the solution as we work to pave the way for healthier communities and a more sustainable future,” said Marc Plumart, Chief Growth and Commercial Officer at Sodexo.
Stand Up for Brain Health
In the realm of health care, few challenges loom as large as the growing crisis of brain health. As our global population ages, the prevalence of neurological conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, posing profound implications for individuals, families, and society at large.
“In terms of both quality of life and economic drain, the unsustainable costs of poor brain health present a clear call to action. When we factor in the immense value that better brain health can add, the extreme urgency of becoming proactive about our brain’s health and wellness becomes obvious,” said Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD, Chief Director, and Founder of the Center for Brain Health at UT Dallas. “Changemakers in all disciplines must collaboratively lead the way.”
SIP Global Brain Health and Longevity Initiative is working to bring collaboration, innovation, education, and investment to this critical issue. For all who share this vision and passion, we extend an invitation to join the Global Ageing Network in becoming a member of SIP at www.socialimpact.partners/membership.
