Brain Health Crisis: Neurological and Mental Health Conditions as the Leading Causes of Ill Health
摘要
Brain disorders, encompassing neurological diseases, mental health conditions, and brain injuries, represent a growing global health crisis, affecting one in three individuals. This chapter challenges the traditional, siloed approach to brain health care, arguing that fragmented clinical systems fail to address the complex, lifelong needs of patients and their families. With rising prevalence due to aging populations, environmental factors, and social determinants, brain disorders now surpass cancer and heart disease in years lived with disability in Canada. The chapter proposes an Ecology of Solutions framework that bridges clinical expertise with community-driven care By highlighting initiatives like Ontario Brain Institute’s GEEK program, this chapter demonstrates how community organizations can provide cost-effective, personalized care through peer support, skills development, and system navigation. The framework repositions communities as essential partners in research translation and care delivery, arguing that sustainable brain health solutions require breaking down barriers between clinical settings and the social ecosystems where patients live. This shift aims to create a responsive, self-organizing care network mirroring the brain’s own adaptive capacities.