Age-related neurological and psychiatric diseases—including dementia, stroke, and late-life depression (LLD)—remain a major and growing public health challenge, as the global population over age 60 is expected to double by 2050. The prevalence of these conditions is projected to surge as the population ages. Marginalized populations are disproportionately affected, facing higher risks and limited access to essential preventive and care services. Without systematic interventions, the combined global economic burden of dementia, stroke, and LLD is expected to exceed $5 trillion annually by midcentury, alongside a sharp rise in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost to these conditions.  

However, the trajectory of brain diseases is not inevitable. Brain health is achievable through sustained, proactive action by individuals, communities, and policymakers. Evidence shows that up to 45 percent of dementia cases, 80 percent of DALYs lost to stroke, and 21 percent of major depression may be linked to modifiable factors such as diet, sleep, and exercise.

From 2024 to 2025, the Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration, in partnership with the Global Brain Care Coalition, conducted a strategic analysis of the brain health ecosystem. Our findings show that advancing brain health will require sustained leadership and coordination across public, private, and civil society sectors, particularly to strengthen primary care infrastructure, expand access to preventive services, address systemic inequities, and foster inclusive, age-friendly environments.  

This report presents our findings and a call to action to join a growing global brain health ecosystem working to build a future in which brain health is prioritized for everyone, everywhere.