From Message to Motivation: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Abstract

This special issue of The Gerontologist , “ Promoting Cognitive Health in Diverse Populations of Older Adults, ” represents an important, empirically based contribution to our understanding of how ethnically, culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse groups think about aging well and brain health. The reports describe a research database to further the development of public health messages targeting diverse groups of older Americans. In addition, the special issue provides information about preferences and practicalities of physical activity programs for older adults with and without cognitive impairment, and identifi es gaps in scientifi c and public knowledge regarding specifi c guidelines for activities to improve cognitive health. The Forum (Anderson et al., 2009) provides a context for the special issue with a review of the current scientifi c literature on public perceptions about cognitive health and dementia in the United States. All the reports identifi ed in this extensive review were cross-sectional studies involving samples of convenience, and most of the studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia. There was considerable variability in the samples, questions, and data collection methodologies. The review identifi ed common themes in the literature and highlighted recommendations for future research. Most respondents were aware of AD, but they lacked specifi c information about AD and other types of dementia. Defi nitions and perceptions of cognitive health and the meaning of “ memory loss ” varied across studies. Cultural beliefs about memory loss and aging appeared to be important in developing health promotion activities but were largely unexplored in the existing research literature. It is these cultural and individual differences in perceptions of memory loss, cognitive aging, and brain health that were the major foci of this special issue. The Prevention Research Centers Healthy Ag