Cohort 
2020

Funmi Akindejoye, MPH

Public Health Specialist

To reduce the growing impact of dementia, we need to act locally and think globally.

Current Work

Funmi is an environmental (public) health professional and a visual artist, with a focus on environmental risk factors for brain health and planetary health. Her work focuses on Alzheimer's disease, urban design mental health awareness, and research, in Nigeria and around the world.

Personal Hero

Prof. Adesola Ogunniyi

Words of Strength

If you can think it, you can do it

Vision

To reduce the growing impact of dementia and other brain health conditions, Funmi believes we need to act locally and think globally. Executing more population-based studies and interventions on dementia/brain health prevalence and focus on preventive strategies. will foster a public health response to dementia in developing countries.

Strategy

Funmi is involved in research and interventions that borders on environmental risk factors to brain health including topics such as urban design and mental health, air pollution, green spaces/ therapeutic horticulture & brain health, etc. Also, she is involved in promoting Alzheimer's disease awareness and supporting existing dementia care setups within Lagos, Nigeria. Her work includes community-based Alzheimer’s awareness campaigns and the development of dementia awareness materials in several Nigerian languages, in the form of pamphlets and animated videos. 

Impact

As an Atlantic Fellow, Funmi's aim is to develop a sustainable approach towards strengthening available dementia and brain health research and promote awareness by establishing a network of sustainable community-based awareness and quality improvement programs across Nigeria. Also, she foresees a future where brain health/environmental health is adequately considered in urban designs and buildings.

Motivation

Cities are associated with higher rates of mental health problems compared to rural areas. In Nigeria, there has been a 400% increase in dementia cases between 1995 and 2015. The aging population in sub-Saharan Africa indicates an imminent increase in dementia cases, which is projected to surpass 7.6 million in 2050.

Send 

Funmi

 a Note

Have ideas for global brain health or a collaboration? Funmi would love to hear from you. Feel free to send an introductory note.