Books
Chronic Medical Disease and Cognitive Aging: Toward a Healthy Body and Brain explores the important and often overlooked connection between how chronic medical diseases of the body can affect cognitive function and brain health. As population demographics shift to that of an aging population it has become more important to understand and improve cognitive function in late life. Chronic medical diseases often increase the risk of cognitive impairment, and those with cognitive impairment may be less able to effectively manage their medical conditions, suggesting a reciprocal relationship may exist where medical disease impacts cognition that in turn may exacerbate physical health.
Chronic Medical Disease and Cognitive Aging discusses current research on the association between a variety of chronic medical diseases and cognition and, where appropriate, promising interventions or accepted treatment strategies. While a cure for many diseases continues to be elusive, insights garnered from the interplay between diseases of the body and mind may help point the way to novel therapeutic strategies to improve cognitive function in late life.
Reports
Dr. Yaffe serves on the Global Council on Brain Health, an independent collaborative of scientists, health professionals, policy experts, and scholars that is part of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). As part of this panel, Dr. Yaffe co-authored a special report, How to Sustain Brain-Healthy Behaviors: Applying Lessons of Public Health and Science to Drive Change.
Dr. Yaffe co-chaired the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on the Public Health Dimensions of Cognitive Aging with Dr. Dan Blazer. The work of the committee resulted in a comprehensive report on the latest research on cognitive aging entitled, Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action. The report also includes critical recommendations for individuals and families, communities, health care professionals, public health agencies, researchers, policy makers and advocates, as well as the private sector.
The US state of California has the largest aging population in the nation. Dr. Yaffe served on the multidisciplinary Governor's Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Preparedness. The task force delivered their recommendations in the November 2020 report, Our Path Forward, discussing how California can prevent and prepare for the rise in cases of Alzheimer's disease, and serve as a model to the rest of the country.
Dr. Yaffe serves on the Global Council on Brain Health, an independent collaborative of scientists, health professionals, policy experts, and scholars that is part of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). As part of this panel, Dr. Yaffe co-authored a special report, COVID-19 and Brain Health: The Global Council on Brain Health’s Recommendations on What to Do Now, as a resource to inform adults age 50+ about ways to protect their brain health as the pandemic continues.
