\n17 July 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n
I began my self-imposed industry research\u00a0journey at\u00a0the World Congress of Active Ageing in Melbourne<\/a>\u00a0(hosted by ISEAL<\/a>), and it certainly had a profound and overwhelming affect on me. \u00a0Admittedly, beyond learning about this incredible and progressive industry unified in healthier and active ageing principles, I also found myself reflecting on my past and current lifestyle choices that will, according to real data outcomes, absolutely impact my ageing trajectory.<\/p>\n But there was one term that resonated with me, and it was only thrown out into the audience at the WCAA by keynote speaker, Professor Nicola Lautenschlager<\/a> (University of Melbourne<\/a>),\u00a0for professionals to consider a re-modelled<\/strong> concept for long term cognitive health policies and interventions in their workplace.<\/p>\n The term was Cognitive Footprint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n I\u2019d never heard of a cognitive footprint, carbon yes, but cognitive no. \u00a0\u00a0Yet, within this analogy,\u00a0I could appreciate how events\u00a0in my life might have affected the way I think? \u00a0And indeed, if the events in all our lives are as varied and complex, so too might be our thoughts and the way we participate in society.<\/p>\n Of course, cognitive or brain health is not always a choice. Your development in-vitro, pharmacological side effects, accidents, the environment you live in, education access, etc. can determine cognitive health. But nevertheless, your cognitive health impacts how<\/em> you participate in living.<\/p>\n So, inspired by this cognitive footprint concept, I threw myself into further research and began to understand its real global importance. \u00a0 Further, it is absolutely perfect for my very first<\/strong> article published here, on\u00a0The Age of Senescence<\/a>.<\/p>\n I found two chaps, professors actually, working in London, who came up with the term in an article they published in The Lancet<\/a>; a popular medical journal published in the UK.<\/p>\n Co-contributors to the term \u2018cognitive footprint<\/strong>\u2019 Professor M. Rossor<\/a>, Clinical Neurologist\u00a0from UCL Institute of Neurology, \u00a0and Professor M. Knapp<\/a>\u00a0of Social Policy at the\u00a0London School of Economics and Political Science, both London, UK, present a viewpoint academic paper about remodelling<\/strong><\/em> the way nations need to address the challenges of dementia.<\/p>\n Rosser and Knapp predict that global inequitable and expensive dementia care costs will have economic fallouts, unless policy makers start investing in their most valuable asset; their nations cognitive capital.<\/p>\n The authors argue that by asking the question, \u201cWhat is your cognitive footprint<\/em>?\u201d individuals and policy makers alike are forced to analyse what is positively or negatively impacting their societal cognitive health, and as such, societal outcomes which invariably impact a nations overall economic proficiency.<\/p>\n Rossor and Knapp believe nations that are proactive in achieving a positive cognitive footprint will fair better economically than those who don\u2019t. This means, a nation that is mentally healthier, will be more efficient. \u00a0By fostering the term \u2018cognitive footprint\u2019, the true severity of dementias can truly be appreciated and, more importantly, globally quantified. \u00a0Moreover, if the term is aligned to other prominent modern challenges (such as \u2018carbon footprint\u2019 in the climate change debate), additional weight of its importance can be appreciated and a market brand or policy model can be developed.<\/p>\n It therefore also becomes a valid measurement to compare against other global nations as they compete to retain their society\u2019s cognitive capital, reduce the severe economic consequences of all dementias, and seek instead to become healthier and more productive as a nation.<\/p>\nWhere did the term ‘Cognitive Footprint’ come from?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"IMG_9205\"](\"http:\/\/theageofsenescence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_9205-300x278.jpg\" "\\"Photo")
<\/a>![\"Brain](\"http:\/\/theageofsenescence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Brain-Power-300x300.png\" "\\"Pixabay\\"")
Lifetime policies for cognitive health not just end-stage dementia.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"brain](\"http:\/\/theageofsenescence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/brain-1295128-300x150.png\")