CLEARFIELD—The Alzheimer’s Association and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) have selected the Davis County Health Department (DCHD) for the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategists.This initiative will allow the DCHD to enhance its capacity to address brain health and dementia for the residents of Davis County through the Senior Services Division.

“We are grateful for this funding opportunity and look forward to increasing the knowledge and skills of our staff to meet the needs of our community,” said Director of the Davis County Health Department, Brian Hatch.

A part-time HBI Road Map Strategist will be designated by the Department who will be a systems change agent working to advance brain health equity. Working in support and in coordination with public health partners across the community, the Road Map Strategist will conduct a public health needs assessment, train local officials and key community partners, and lead implementation of public health action on dementia, guided by strategies from The Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027, a release said.

“We are excited to support our community partner, Davis County Health Department, in the awarding of the Healthy Brain Initiative funding,” said Raven Albertson, director of Program Services for the Alzheimer’s Association of Utah. “There are more than 40,000 people over the age of 65 in Davis County alone, and about 10% of those are living with dementia. Through this partnership, many caregivers have already been served through education and supportive services, and we are thrilled that the Healthy Brain Initiative will increase our reach significantly in the coming year."

The Davis County Health Department was one of 10 grantees in the cohort.

According to the DCHD, the state of Utah has higher rates of dementia among those aged 60+ than the rest of the nation. It is estimated that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias within Utah will increase 23.5% by 2025. On the national level, Alzheimer’s disease is ranked as the 7th leading cause of death. However, it is the 3rd leading cause of death among Davis County residents.