What Maria Shriver Wants Women to Know About Their Brain Health
And why they should start talking about it now
A recent survey revealed that only one in five women know they are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than men. Maria Shriver, a prominent advocate for brain health, wants to change that statistic and encourages women to start thinking about their brain health decades before symptoms manifest. At the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum, Shriver emphasized the importance of discussing brain health and mental well-being throughout every stage of a woman's life.
Her passion for this cause stems from her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2003, when limited information was available to help families understand the disease and plan for the changes it would bring.
Shriver founded the Women's Alzheimer's Movement and co-founded the Comprehensive Women's Health and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic, where she has dedicated her efforts to raising awareness about women's brain health. She highlighted the recent trial of Lindsay Clancy, a mother accused of killing her three young children in 2023, as a testament to the progress in discussing maternal mental health.
The case sparked a conversation about postpartum depression and maternal health, which Shriver believes is a significant advancement.
The expert encourages women to make simple lifestyle changes, such as exercising, getting enough sleep, eating well, maintaining social connections, and staying mentally engaged, to improve their brain health. She acknowledges that these activities can be challenging for women with busy careers or family responsibilities but stresses that they are essential for overall well-being. Shriver herself practices daily meditation to manage stress, even though she understands that it may not be feasible for everyone.
Despite the slow progress, Shriver remains optimistic about the future of Alzheimer's research. She believes that more funding and attention will lead to breakthroughs in detecting the disease early and reducing its risk. With the growing emphasis on women's health and ongoing research, she remains confident that a cure for Alzheimer's will eventually be found.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
