MADRID, 9 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The World Health Organization (WHO) published this Tuesday its first position paper to understand brain health and the importance of optimizing it, since “it is an evolving concept, which attracts more and more attention not only from the sector health but also of society in general”.
Brain health can be defined as the state of brain function in the cognitive, sensory, socio-emotional, behavioral and motor fields, which allows a person to develop their full potential throughout their lives, regardless of the presence or absence of disorders.
It is known that many determinants influence brain health and that ongoing interactions between these factors and the individual’s context lead to adaptation of brain structure and function throughout life.
The brain and central nervous system are the command center of the human body, controlling conscious and unconscious bodily functions and thus influencing all aspects of life.
“If our brains are affected by disease or other factors, this poses a significant risk not only to the general health and well-being of the individual, but also to overall development and productivity,” he says.
It is estimated that 1 in 3 people will develop a neurological disorder at some point in their life, making neurological disorders the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death.
Furthermore, 43 per cent of children under the age of five in low- and middle-income countries are believed to be falling short of their development potential due to extreme poverty and stunting, leading to economic losses and projected 26 percent less annual income in adulthood.
The WHO position paper offers a vision of the following groups of determinants: physical health, healthy environments, safety and security, learning and social connection, and access to quality services.
“Optimizing brain health by treating these determinants has multiple benefits, including reducing rates of many chronic diseases (neurological, mental, substance use and physical), as well as improving quality of life and multiple social and economic benefits, all of which contribute to greater well-being and help society progress,” explains the United Nations international health organization.
The document demonstrates the importance of optimizing brain health in the broader context of public health and society, and offers policy solutions and guidance, including specific actions to address determinants of brain health, current research priorities , and the operationalization and measurement of brain health.