Brain health a priority - for the first time ever

In recent decades, the human brain, as stressed by Prof. Alina Kulakowska, president of the Polish Neurological Society, is exposed to challenges it has not known before. Cumulative challenges - the pace of life, excess stimuli, stress, sleep deficit, environmental pollution.

The result? The survey shows that half of Poles know a person with a brain disease and one in four of us has one among relatives. At the same time, one in three respondents admit to having little knowledge of brain health. Only 13 percent of us say they know what brain hygiene is.

This is the starting point for the formation of the Brain Health Coalition, which is made up of the Polish Neurological Society, the Polish Psychiatric Society, the Polish Society of Child Neurologists, among others. Among the coalition's goals is to return to the idea of a Brain Plan for Poland - a long-term strategy that includes prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

During the conference, Dr. Malgorzata Galazka-Sobotka presented the concept of seven pillars of brain health, which are to become the basis of modern health policy. These include recognizing brain health as a state priority, emphasizing investment in brain capital and education, as well as modern diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation, support for caregivers and families (because mental illness, but especially neurodegenerative diseases, characteristic of an aging society, involve loved ones in the care of the patient), and basing policy on data, registries and systematic monitoring. - Without reliable data, there is no effective health policy, the expert reminded.

Health Minister Jolanta Sobieranska-Grenda has confirmed that brain health is among the ministry's official priorities - for the first time ever. Thus, 2026 will go by with a strong emphasis on preventive mental health and our brain's condition. - After oncology and cardiology, the time has come for neurology and psychiatry. Prevention must be our common goal," the minister noted, pointing to the need for simple, understandable language for communicating with patients and close cooperation with education, sports and social policy.

Experts stressed that prevention of brain health must begin as early as possible. During the conference, it was repeatedly emphasized that up to 90 percent of neuronal connections are formed by the age of five. - Getting a good night's sleep, immunizations, limiting screens, contact with language, music and movement are crucial, and are the foundation of brain health," reminded Prof. Dr. Maria Mazurkiewicz-Bełdzinska, pointing out how "silencing" even the youngest children with smartphones or tablets has very negative effects.