Q&A: How can you improve your brain health?

Q&A: How can you improve your brain health?

Q. How critical is the brain for us, for our daily survival?

A. The brain is a critical organ for various functions sustaining life such as basic bodily functions including respiration, blood pressure, eye movements, emotional well-being, and cognitive functions like higher processing, planning, memory, execution of issues, hearing, vision etc.

Q. Studies suggest that India is grappling with a rising burden of brain diseases such as stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. What can we do about it?

A. Enhancing health education and Awareness about brain diseases to encourage proactive measures and timely intervention is the first step. In addition, a coordinated and collaborative approach among various stakeholders including policymakers, government and private health facilities, researchers, NGOs, and communities is required to address this grappling situation.

Further, improving neurological and mental health infrastructure in the nation to allow access to quality facilities ensuring early diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases, and destigmatising mental illnesses are some important pathways to address the emerging challenges.

Q. How do socio-economic status, age, geography, and gender contribute to disparities in accessing brain healthcare in India?

A. These factors do create disparities in accessing brain healthcare. Socio-economic status translates into barriers such as lack of financial resources, limited access to healthcare facilities, and inadequate health insurance coverage.

In terms of age, older adults are more susceptible to various brain diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and stroke. Also, mobility issues and limited social support hinder their ability to access healthcare services.

Geography also highlights disparities in healthcare infrastructure and resources between urban and rural areas contributing to uneven access to brain healthcare.

Gender is also a factor. Despite a higher prevalence of dementia, and headaches in women in terms of disability, women face challenges due to cultural norms, societal expectations, and economic dependency, limiting their ability to seek medical attention.

Q. How does awareness about brain health help in preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative domains of universal healthcare?

A. Awareness plays a crucial role in public health because empowering the end-user/ patients/ public benefits the health system in preventing “modifiable risk factors” of neurological diseases. In addition, campaigns for promotive health care like educational or audio-visual campaigns, and rehabilitative services improve the understanding of the disease process, enabling patients and caregivers to have a better quality of life. Also, awareness destigmatises these brain-related disabilities promoting social acceptance and inclusivity.

Q. What specific actions or recommendations has the task force proposed to improve the accessibility and quality of brain healthcare at different levels?

A. The task force has proposed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current state of brain healthcare in India, including an analysis of existing policies, infrastructure, and resources.

Q. In what ways are Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs being leveraged as part of the strategies to promote, manage, and prevent neurological disorders?

A. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) can play a significant role in promoting, managing, and preventing neurological disorders through various strategies:

• Screening and early detection of neurological diseases via collaboration with primary health care centres or by developing newer infrastructure
• Patient education and counselling and community outreach programmes
• Support for patients seeking secondary and tertiary care for their respective illnesses.

Q. How is the task force planning to address the challenges related to timely diagnosis, treatment, and care for patients with neurological disorders?

A. The task force shall recommend plans and pathways to improve the health care delivery system (accessibility and quality of brain health) and create or strengthen existing systems to address these challenges. The task force shall also formulate strategies for promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation to improve the overall well-being of patients with brain diseases.

Q. How can the well-being and functioning of individuals with neurological conditions be enhanced?

A. Enhancing the well-being and functioning of individuals with neurological conditions involves a comprehensive approach to providing adequate healthcare solutions about treatment, caregiver assistance, and rehabilitation support like educational and vocational assistance.

Q. What role do you think technology and innovation will play in advancing brain healthcare and addressing the challenges outlined by the task force?

A. Technology and innovation are poised to play a transformative role in advancing brain healthcare and addressing the challenges especially in the field of diagnostics (imaging or genetics for early and accurate detection), remote monitoring (access to remote and underserved areas to quality care), and research (paving a way for personalised therapeutics including assistive modalities).

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