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Report, 2022

Brain health-directed policymaking : a new concept to strengthen democracy

Angeler, David; Winter, Sebastian F.; Angeler, David; Angeler, David G.; Dawson, Walter D.; Bennett, Virginia; Freeman, Michael; Hynes, William; Berk, Michael; Sarnyai, Zoltan; Chee , H. Ng; Abbott, Ryan; Ibanez, Agustin; Smith, Erin; Hackett, James T.; Storch, Eric A.; Jraissati, Jorge; Corner, Lynne; Chen, Shuo; Carlo, Andrew;
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Abstract

Democracies are increasingly under siege. Beyond direct external (e.g., warfare) and internal (e.g., populism, extremism) threats to democratic nations, multiple democracy-weakening factors are converging in our modern world. Brain health challenges, including mental, neurologic, and substance use disorders, social determinants of health, long COVID, undesired effects of technology, mis- and disinformation, and educational, health, and gender disparities, are associated with substantial economic and sociopolitical impediments. Herein, we argue that thriving democracies can distinguish themselves through provision of environments that enable each citizen to achieve their full brain health potential conducive to both personal and societal well-being. Gearing policymaking towards equitable and quality brain health may prove essential to combat brain challenges, promote societal cohesion, and boost economic productivity. We outline emerging policy innovations directed at building “pro-democratic brain health” across individual, communal, national, and international levels. While extensive research is warranted to further validate these approaches, brain health-directed policymaking harbors potential as a novel concept for democracy strengthening.

Keywords

Democracy; neuroscience; human rights; brain health; health policy; national security; misinformation

Published in

Brookings Global Working Papers
2022, number: 178
Publisher: Brookings

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Neurology
    Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/120480