Key points
- CDC partners with state, local, and Tribal public health agencies to address dementia by using the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Series.
- The HBI Road Map helps public health professionals take action to improve brain health and support caregivers.
- Learn how to incorporate the HBI Road Map actions into existing public health initiatives.
Overview
The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map
In 2005, Congress first appropriated funds for CDC to focus on brain health and dementia.
- This action led to the creation of the Healthy Brain Initiative's (HBI) Road Map for Public Health series.
- This also established the longstanding collaboration between the Alzheimer's Association and CDC.
The HBI Road Map is aligned with the Essential Public Health Services (EPHS). This ensures that initiatives to address Alzheimer's can be incorporated easily and efficiently into existing public health initiatives.
The HBI Road Map guides the public health effort to promote brain health by creating a framework for public health action.
- This newest Road Map in the series builds on the progress of extensive efforts to date.
- The Road Map advances equity by fully integrating brain health and caregiving into state and local public health practice.
HBI State and Local Road Map for Public Health 2023–2027
The latest edition of the HBI Road Map is the HBI State and Local Road Map for Public Health 2023−2027 (fourth edition).
- This edition places greater emphasis on partnerships and health equity.
- It incorporates input from 100+ experts spanning health, nonprofit, academia, and private sectors.
Conceptual framework
The framework of the current HBI State and Local Road Map (2023−2027) consists of four domains. These have been renamed from previous HBI editions.
Four domains:
- Strengthen Partnerships and Policies.
- Measure, Evaluate, and Utilize Data.
- Build a Diverse and Skilled Workforce.
- Engage and Educate the Public.
These updated domains reflect the evolution of science and practice and align with the 2020 update to the EPHS.
Surrounding areas of practice
Surrounding the domains are areas of practice across the life course that affect the domains. These areas of practice, which are shown in the outer circle of the framework, include:
- Risk reduction of cognitive decline.
- Dementia caregiving.
- Early detection.
- Diagnosis and management of cognitive impairment.
- Community-clinical linkages.
Implementation resources for public health professionals
CDC and its partners have created resources and tools to inform implementation of the HBI Road Map actions.
Topic-specific issue maps
Topic-specific issue maps are in-depth reports. They explore current public health challenges in reducing risk for and care for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Each issue map offers:
- Compelling data on the topic.
- A primer explaining the need for action.
- Related HBI Road Map actions.
- Case studies to demonstrate successful interventions.
The following issue maps and primers are available:
Related Road Map materials
Training and Podcasts
- Training: ASTHO's e-Learning Center Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Module
The module is designed to support public health agencies in identifying priorities and taking action toward improving dementia and caregiving. It is guided by CDC HBI's Road Map Series.
- Podcast: Advancing Cognitive Well-Being Through the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map
This podcast introduces the 2018-2023 Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map. It discusses strategies for public health agencies to promote a life course approach to addressing dementia.
Previous HBI Road Maps and Reports
Since 2007, CDC and the Alzheimer's Association have partnered to create HBI Road Maps for public health agencies and their partners. The Road Maps presented below show the evolution and growth of public health in addressing dementia.