It’s Time to Rethink Prevention: For Our Brains and Beyond
Most people know me as a family medicine physician. For nearly two decades, I’ve worked in primary care with prevention at the heart of everything I do. Of course, I managed plenty of chronic disease. But what truly fueled my work was giving people the education, tools, and confidence they needed to take charge of their health—before a diagnosis. That kind of proactive care can be hard to deliver in a system built to react.
The Case for Prevention—Especially for Brain Health
In our healthcare system (and society), we’re trained to respond when something goes wrong. A new symptom. A concerning scan. That’s when we see the doctor. And while early detection is important, I believe deeply that evidence-based prevention deserves just as much attention.
At a recent workshop on Brain Health led by Drs. Malaz Boustani MD, MPH and Charles Vega, MD, FAAFP one statistic struck me:
👉 Up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide are linked to 14 modifiable risk factors.
(Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, 2020)
That means nearly half of dementia cases could potentially be delayed—or even prevented—with earlier, coordinated action.
14 Modifiable Risk Factors Linked to Dementia
Many of these are familiar, and they’re closely tied to the five pillars I emphasize in care: nutrition, movement, sleep, mental wellness, and social connection.
They include:
High blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
Smoking and obesity
Hearing loss and vision problems
Physical inactivity and poor sleep
Depression and social isolation
Air pollution
Lower levels of education
These aren’t just brain risks—they impact our whole-body health and quality of life.
Why This Is Personal
Like many of you, I’ve seen the toll cognitive decline takes—not just on patients, but on families. I’ve also seen how easy it is to push prevention aside, even when we know what helps. Life moves fast. We focus on now, not later.
But brain health doesn’t wait. The small decisions we make now add up. And the earlier we act, the more we preserve—not just memory, but identity, independence, and dignity.
Where to Start: Simple Steps, Real Impact
If you’re a caregiver, a clinician, or someone who wants to invest in your long-term health, here are a few meaningful actions you can take:
Schedule a hearing or vision screening. These often go unchecked—and they matter.
Prioritize sleep. Deep, consistent sleep is one of the best brain protectors we have.
Move your body daily. It doesn’t have to be intense—just intentional.
Stay connected. Loneliness is a risk factor we can reduce.
Support someone else’s journey. Small nudges and encouragement go a long way.
For Innovators and Builders in Health
If you’re developing programs or solutions in healthcare, ask yourself:
Are we promoting lifelong brain health—not just treating decline?
Are we designing for caregivers, not just patients?
Are we connecting evidence-based prevention with real-world access?
What would it look like to design for brain health earlier?
For founders: Are we building tools that shape healthier routines long before symptoms appear?
For health systems: Are we embedding brain health into the same workflows we use for diabetes or hypertension?
For each of us: Are we giving memory and mood the same attention we give physical checkups?
And if you’re worried about a loved one (or yourself), could starting the conversation today open space for clarity and care tomorrow?
Let’s create systems that help people act early, feel supported, and build momentum—before the diagnosis.
Final Thoughts
Prevention may not feel urgent. But it is powerful. It protects lives and legacies.
Let’s give it the investment it deserves. Brain health is something we shape daily, gradually, and collectively.
Between now and next,
Mamata
