AAN Brain Health Initiative
AAN Brain Health Initiative
The 好色先生’s groundbreaking Brain Health Initiative focuses on enhancing brain health at every stage of life, from a person’s earliest years of development to their oldest years.
In an era where cognitive well-being is increasingly recognized as paramount to overall health and productivity, we are proud to take a pioneering step towards promoting rigorous education, public policy, scientific discovery, and collaborative partnerships. Our commitment is to improve lives and make a meaningful impact on the landscape of brain health.
AAN mission
To enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all.
Brain health definition
A continuous state of attaining and maintaining the optimal neurologic function that best supports one’s physical, mental, and social well-being through every stage of life.
The AAN updated its figure on the global burden of neurological disease in line with the World Health Organization's analysis, which found over 1 in 3 people worldwide are living with a neurological disease.
The AAN updated its figure on the global burden of neurological disease in line with the World Health Organization's analysis, which found over 1 in 3 people worldwide are living with a neurological disease.The complete analysis was published in in March 2024.
Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health
Two $150,000 brain health scholarships are awarded each year to early career trainees, made possible by Ralph L. Sacco, MD, MS, FAAN, FAHA, the late neurologist and AAN president whose legacy lives on through the scholarships. Read the press release on the 2025 awardees.
Pillars of brain health
The AAN Brain Health Initiative’s pillars of science, patient care, public policy, and public education provide the framework for the AAN’s vision of brain health for all.
Science
Accelerating research and discovery to achieve scientific breakthroughs in preventing neurologic conditions and advancing brain health research.
Patient care
Providing trustworthy to medical professionals at all stages of training.
Public policy
Advancing brain health by working with policymakers on the federal and state levels.
Public education
Engaging with the public about through every stage of life.
Brain health resources
Science
- | April 1, 2025
- | April 1, 2025
- | March 20, 2025
Patient care
- | March 20, 2025
- | March 12, 2025
- | March 6, 2025
Public policy
- AAN Sends Introductory Letter to Director of National Institute of Health, Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya, and Requests Support for Neuroscience Research Funding鈥瘄 March 26, 2025
- AAN Joins Physician Organizations in Reauthorizing the Lorna Breen Act鈥瘄 March 18, 2025
- AAN Sends Introductory Letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, and Requests Support of Neuroscience Research鈥瘄 March 14, 2025
Public education
- | March 17, 2025
- | March 11, 2025
- | February 2025
Events
David A. Evans, MBA; Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN; Former U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton; Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHA; Mary E. Post, MBA, CAE
AAN Brain Health Summit
The AAN’s annual Brain Health Summit convenes distinguished thought leaders from academia, professional medical and patient organizations, government, research institutions, payers, industry, and advocacy groups. These experts, specializing in brain health across the lifespan, collaborate to advance brain health for all.
The 2025 Brain Health Summit will be held in Washington, DC, on Thursday, September 11.
AAN Annual Meeting
The AAN Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of neurologists and neuroscience professionals and offers top-tier education, the latest in scientific discoveries, and an abundance of opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues from around the globe.
The brain serves as the body's central command and control center and the organ responsible for our physical, mental, and social well-being. Neurologists are uniquely positioned to serve as specialists in brain health and to advance the newly evolving field of preventive neurology. Empowered by the bold brain health vision and action plan for the 21st century, the AAN is proud to lead across the multidisciplinary stakeholders to advance brain health across every stage of life.
Natalia S. Rost, MD, MPH, FAAN, FAHA
President, AAN
Media coverage
| February 25, 2025
| October 4, 2024
| June 24, 2024
| May 20, 2024
| April 2024
| February 15, 2024
| February 14, 2024
| February 12, 2024
Educating patients about neurology and brain health
is a website, magazine, podcast, and book series created by the AAN that connects patients, caregivers, and anyone interested in brain health. It is the most trusted information, straight from the world’s leading experts in brain health.
US AAN Members receive to distribute to patients in your office.
Collaborators
