The Physician

Many people first think about brain health only when they notice a change in their memory. By then, many of the conditions that shape cognitive aging have been developing for decades. The more useful question is what can be done now, and the answer is more encouraging than it was a generation ago. Recent evidence points to a set of measurable, treatable factors that influence how the brain ages: education and head protection in early life, blood pressure, cholesterol, and hearing in midlife, and vision, sleep, mood, and social connection in later life. Genetics still matter, and no prevention strategy offers certainty. But much of what shapes brain aging is within our reach, and the work can start at any age. How well you move, think, recover, and function today is closely tied to how you will age over time. By focusing on daily performance—strength, metabolic health, sleep, and resilience—we can meaningfully influence long-term outcomes. In that sense, longevity isn’t something distant—it’s something you experience every day.