Healthy Brain Tracker: An interactive data dashboard to monitor Hawaiʻi’s progress towards supporting individuals with cognitive decline, their caregivers, and reducing dementia risk factors
1
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, United States
2
Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii State Department of Health, Honolulu, United States
3
Center on Aging, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
As the population ages and life expectancy increases, the global prevalence of dementia is predicted to rise from 52.6 million in 2021 to over 152.8 million by 2050.1 In Hawaiʻi, the rate of adults experiencing cognitive disability is also rising,2 particularly as the older adult (65+) population grows.3 In response to these trends, the state’s Executive Office on Aging (EOA) initiated the development of a data tracker to monitor dementia-related trends.
METHODS:
An online data dashboard was developed by the University of Hawaiʻi’s Hawai‘i Health Data Warehouse (HHDW) and Center on Aging, EOA, and other stakeholders. The majority of indicators are sourced from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a survey that collects data on health-related behaviors and chronic health conditions nationwide.4 In Hawaiʻi, approximately 7,800 adults are surveyed each year. Each indicator is updated annually, and displays point estimates, comparison values, trend data, and subgroup breakdowns.
RESULTS:
The Healthy Brain Tracker includes 36 indicators around cognition, dementia prevalence and mortality, risk factors, and caregiving for the state of Hawaiʻi. Key results from the latest data are as follows: 11.2% of adults experience cognitive decline and the death rate due to Alzheimer’s Disease is 21.4 per 100,000. The prevalence of dementia risk factors among adults 45+ years are increasing for six of the eleven indicators tracked: hearing loss, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use. Among caregivers, 27.2% care for someone living with dementia.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Healthy Brain Tracker was developed to monitor Hawaiʻi’s progress towards reducing risk factors for cognitive decline, promoting healthy brain function, and supporting caregivers. The data provided in this dashboard helps direct programs and policies, and aids the development of a strong infrastructure to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
As the population ages and life expectancy increases, the global prevalence of dementia is predicted to rise from 52.6 million in 2021 to over 152.8 million by 2050.1 In Hawaiʻi, the rate of adults experiencing cognitive disability is also rising,2 particularly as the older adult (65+) population grows.3 In response to these trends, the state’s Executive Office on Aging (EOA) initiated the development of a data tracker to monitor dementia-related trends.
METHODS:
An online data dashboard was developed by the University of Hawaiʻi’s Hawai‘i Health Data Warehouse (HHDW) and Center on Aging, EOA, and other stakeholders. The majority of indicators are sourced from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a survey that collects data on health-related behaviors and chronic health conditions nationwide.4 In Hawaiʻi, approximately 7,800 adults are surveyed each year. Each indicator is updated annually, and displays point estimates, comparison values, trend data, and subgroup breakdowns.
RESULTS:
The Healthy Brain Tracker includes 36 indicators around cognition, dementia prevalence and mortality, risk factors, and caregiving for the state of Hawaiʻi. Key results from the latest data are as follows: 11.2% of adults experience cognitive decline and the death rate due to Alzheimer’s Disease is 21.4 per 100,000. The prevalence of dementia risk factors among adults 45+ years are increasing for six of the eleven indicators tracked: hearing loss, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use. Among caregivers, 27.2% care for someone living with dementia.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Healthy Brain Tracker was developed to monitor Hawaiʻi’s progress towards reducing risk factors for cognitive decline, promoting healthy brain function, and supporting caregivers. The data provided in this dashboard helps direct programs and policies, and aids the development of a strong infrastructure to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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