Africa: Poverty Has Greater Impact On Brain Ageing Than Cancer, Study
Professor Zul Merali, Founding Director of the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University
AKU
Media Source: AllAfrica.com
Date: 15 July 2026
Poverty may have a greater influence on healthy brain ageing than a cancer diagnosis, according to a new study by the Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute (AKU-BMI), highlighting the role of socioeconomic conditions in shaping long-term cognitive health. The three-year Brain Resilience Kenya (BRK) study tracked 404 Kenyan…
Poverty may have a greater influence on healthy brain ageing than a cancer diagnosis, according to a new study by the Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute (AKU-BMI), highlighting the role of socioeconomic conditions in shaping long-term cognitive health. The three-year Brain Resilience Kenya (BRK) study tracked 404 Kenyan adults aged 35 years and above to examine how biological, psychological, social and environmental factors affect healthy ageing and the risk of frailty and dementia. Professor Zul Merali, Founding Director of the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University, said the research shifts attention beyond disease to the factors that help people remain mentally healthy throughout life. "This study reminds us that resilience is not something we are simply born with. It can be nurtured by families, strengthened by communities, supported by health systems and encouraged through public policy."