A European Task Force recently developed and published the concept and protocols for the setup of the innovative health offer of Brain Health Services for the secondary prevention of dementia and cognitive impairment (dBHS). dBHS are outpatient health care facilities where adult persons can find an assessment of their risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia, have their risk level and contributing factors communicated using appropriate language supported by adequate communication tools, can decide to participate in programmes for personalised risk reduction if at higher risk, and benefit from cognitive enhancement interventions. This health offer is distinct from that of currently active memory clinics. The ultimate aim of dBHS is to extend healthy life, free from cognitive impairment.
A new paper by members of this Task Force discusses the pertinent opportunities and challenges for those persons who want to benefit from dBHS, professionals, and wider society, describes the concepts, protocols, organisational features, and patient journeys of some currently active dBHS in Europe, and argues in favour of the business case for dBHS in Europe. On 17 March 2025, this new paper, titled "Brain Health Services for the secondary prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia: opportunities, challenges, and the business case for existing and future facilities", was published online in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (JPAD). Jean Georges, Executive Director, Alzheimer Europe is one of the members of the European Task Force and is a co- author of this paper. The article is available (in open access), here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2274580725000421