July 22, 2023 is World Brain Day!
What is World Brain Day?
In 2014, the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) created World Brain Day to promote the broader concept of brain health, not just for one specific disorder or disease. The day takes place on July 22nd to commemorate the creation of the WFN.
“There are many days related to neurological diseases being celebrated by professional organizations in collaboration with the World Health Organization… including World Stroke day, Epilepsy Day, Rabies Day etc,” stated on the WFN website. “These days have proven to be extremely helpful in promoting public awareness and generating advocacy throughout the globe.” Having a day that isn’t specific holds plenty of opportunities for education and exploration into brain health.
According to the website, the 2013 proposal was met positively, which then allowed for its installment for the first time in 2014.
“Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind”, 2023
According to their website, the WFN has a specific goal for this year’s World Brain Day. “This year’s theme will inspire a global initiative to close the gaps in disability education and awareness and to break down barriers to health care that exist for individuals with disabilities. When it comes to brain health, may we leave no one behind.”
Thus, the objective of all the programs, presentations, and activities attached to the WFN and World Brain Day revolve around widespread awareness and care for brain health.
The Five Key Aims of World Brain Day, 2023
This year, the WFN is focusing World Brain Day on disparities in brain health care. So, the WFN is using “five key aims” to frame this day: Prevention, Awareness, Access, Education, and Advocacy.
Firstly, prevention refers to preventing, treating, and rehabilitating brain diseases. Also, awareness hopes to increase public consciousness about brain diseases and disabilities to improve accessibility. In addition, access calls for more accessibility for people with brain diseases and disabilities. Education is for an increased public education regarding brain health. Finally, advocacy is for the support of brain health for all.
How Can I Celebrate?
The World Federation of Neurology has details on their webpage about different programs they are running to spread awareness about World Brain Day. At 12PM (GMT), there is a free webinar that discusses all five of the key aims. In fact, each aim has a respective speaker.
Also, the WFN provides a “toolbox” that includes their logo, posters, presentation, etc. for further education. As a matter of fact, they have included it in multiple languages to really accomplish the goal of wide-spread advocacy!
“Brain health is a human right which applies to everyone, everywhere,” says the WFN. “Join us on World Brain Day as we make sure that no one is left behind.”
Want to know how engineers can make a difference in brain health? Check out this TryEngineering article featuring interviews with prominent medical physicist, radiologic physicists, and imaging physicists to learn more about engineering is creating innovations in brain health. Also, you can learn more about what it means to be a biomedical engineer in this career pathway.