title: Promoting cognitive health: a web site review of health systems, public health departments, and senior centers.
abstract: Growing evidence suggests that healthy behaviors such as being physically active, having a heart healthy diet, and being socially involved may promote cognitive health. The United States has recently begun encouraging such behaviors for that purpose. To help evaluate the diffusion of this policy, we sought to measure a baseline of activity in this area. We examined Web sites of 156 large health care systems, the health departments of all 50 states and the 20 largest US cities, and 181 nationally accredited senior centers, to identify information, products, programs, or services recommended for cognitive health. Among health care systems, 40% promoted cognitive health: 24% recommended mental activity, 20% healthy diets, 20% physical activity, and 16% social involvement. Among health departments, 30% promoted cognitive health in the same ways. Among senior centers, 21% offered strategies, primarily mental activity. Results suggest emerging activity in this area and opportunities for continued development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. jladitka@uncc.edu
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Laditka
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Laditka
authors.forename: Kathryn B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000592:standards; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States