To protect the world’s population from threats to brain health, a new group of emerging leaders has joined a global movement: the 2022–23 Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI).
Hailing from 19 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Oceania—and various disciplines such as economics, film, neurology, psychology and public health—the 32 fellows reflect a diverse range of geographies, expertise and life experiences.
Meet the 2022–23 Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health.
“GBHI is proud to welcome the talented, international group of emerging leaders who are working to reduce the impact of dementia around the globe and promote equity in access to brain health,” said Lea Tenenholz Grinberg, GBHI Governing Board Member and Professor of Neurology and Pathology at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
The incoming cohort expands the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program’s geographic spread to include two new countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nepal. The program now totals 205 fellows—current and Global Atlantic Fellows (alumni)—from 48 countries across the globe.
GBHI is proud to welcome the talented, international group of emerging leaders who are working to reduce the impact of dementia around the globe.
—Lea Tenenholz Grinberg
GBHI embraces a values-based interdisciplinary approach using science, art and creativity to advance our understanding of brain health and dementia. Through their work, Atlantic Fellows address local and global inequities in brain health and dementia by promoting education, effecting policy change, and developing evidence-based interventions, with the goal of improving the lives of people with dementia.
“By taking an equity-focused approach to brain health that emphasizes diversity and inclusion, we have the potential to reduce the scale and impact of dementia worldwide,” said Lorina Naci, GBHI Governing Board Member and Associate Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin (Trinity).
According to the World Health Organization, in 2021 there were more than 55 million people living with dementia worldwide, with over 60% living in low- and middle-income countries. Dementia is rooted in socio-economic inequities and driven by the same social determinants that drive physical health problems. There is no known prevention, cure, or effective treatment for dementia; however, up to 40% of cases could potentially be prevented by public health and lifestyle interventions.
By taking an equity-focused approach to brain health that emphasizes diversity and inclusion, we have the potential to reduce the scale and impact of dementia worldwide.
—Lorina Naci
Since 2016, the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program has trained a global community of emerging interprofessional leaders in brain health and dementia prevention through its 12-month residential program at both its founding sites at UCSF and Trinity. On completion of their training, fellows join a lifelong catalytic community of seven Atlantic Fellows programs working to advance fairer, healthier and more inclusive societies.
Applications for 2023–24 cohort of Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health are open until October 5, 2022. Learn more and apply today.
