The Brain Advantage for a Thriving Economy: A Global Call to Action
February 13, 2025
Brain disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting 1 in 3 Canadians over their lifetime. The impact on individuals, families, society, and the economy is profound, yet the connection between brain health and economic success is often overlooked. Our economy thrives on "brain capital" — the combined power of brain health and cognitive skills — but it is not yet prioritized in policy discussions.
In a time of workforce disruptions, AI-driven changes, and demographic shifts, healthy brains, cognitive skills, and emotional resilience are key to a thriving economy. Canada's G7 leadership in 2025 offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make brain health a central pillar of economic strategy. To make this happen, in a Canadian Science Policy editorial, OBI and several international collaborators have called on the G7 to:
- Launch a Brain Economy Working Group to integrate brain health into labor and finance policy,
- Host the first-ever G7 Brain Economy Summit to drive global action,
- Engage the private sector in brain health investments, and
- Elevate the brain as a critical economic priority.
For a deeper dive into the ideas and data behind this this call to action, read the Canadian Brain Research Strategy's concept note, co-authored by Dr. Tom Mikkelsen, OBI's President and Scientific Director.