Advancing Our Understanding of Brain Health
MONTREAL, March 13, 2026 /CNW/ - Brain Canada is pleased to launch Brain Awareness Week 2026, a global initiative that unites organizations worldwide to increase public awareness and highlight the critical importance of brain health. By funding groundbreaking research and strategically developing research talent , Brain Canada is generating impact that is improving brain health, national productivity, and quality of life for millions of Canadians.
Nearly two in three Canadians will develop a brain disease or disorder in their lifetime. Yet brain conditions have historically been studied and treated in isolation. Brain Canada is addressing this challenge through its One Brain approach. One Brain recognizes the brain as a single, interconnected system, where neurological conditions, mental health disorders, brain injuries, and more are linked and studied in concert, to accelerate discovery and improve brain health.
"Our One Brain approach reflects the reality of how the brain functions," said Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada. "This integrated perspective ensures that every breakthrough informs the entire system, ultimately improving outcomes for Canadians living with brain-related conditions."
During Brain Awareness Week 2026, which runs from March 16 – March 22, Brain Canada will engage Canadians through educational content, expert insights, and interactive opportunities designed to foster dialogue and inspire action. The organization will be hosting a virtual panel on March 19, 2026, with the Canadian Science Policy Centre on Building Canadian Research Capacity in a Shifting Global Landscape. This timely discussion will explore how targeted national initiatives are strengthening Canada's research infrastructure and talent pipeline to meet both current health challenges and future geopolitical realities.
Featured event:
What: Building Canadian Research Capacity in a Shifting Global Landscape
When: Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12 PM ET
Who:
Moderator:
Fiona Sanderson
Senior Program Manager at Brain Canada
Panellists:
Aaron Phillips
Associate Dean (Innovation and Commercialization), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
Cindy Barha
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
Grant Bruno
Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, University of Alberta
Allison Sekuler
President and Chief Scientist, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation
Véronique Dugas
President and Chief Executive Officer, Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery
Mira Puri
Scientific Director of Health, Science and Research (HSR), Azrieli Foundation
Where: Virtual
Registration: https://sciencepolicy.ca/event/future-leaders-in-canadian-brain-research/
Cost: Free
Brain Canada will also be sharing video content throughout the week across social media platforms. The clips will feature insights from leading researchers along with testimonies from people with lived experience highlighting the complexities of the brain and the real-world impact of investing in research.
"The brain is the one organ that we cannot regrow and we cannot transplant. It is the most complex object we know of, and we must prioritize its care," said Ravi Menon, Chair of Brain Canada's Research Committee.
Brain Awareness Week 2026 represents a call to action: to recognize that protecting and promoting brain health throughout life is essential, and that sustained investment in brain research represents one of the most significant opportunities to improve health outcomes, drive economic growth, and build a healthier future for all Canadians.
For more information, please visit braincanada.ca.
Follow Brain Canada on social media:
Instagram: @BrainCanada
Facebook: Brain Canada
Listeners can also explore Brain Canada's new podcast, Bold Minds, available wherever podcasts are streamed.
Fast Facts: The Impact of Brain Health
- Brain diseases and disorders cost Canada more than $50 billion annually
- Globally, brain diseases cost more than cancer and cardiovascular disease combined
- According to the McKinsey Health Institute, prioritizing brain health could generate $26 trillion in global economic opportunities by 2040
- More than 750,000 Canadians currently live with dementia; this number is expected to more than triple by 2050
- Women account for two-thirds of people living with dementia over the age of 65
- Nearly 2 in 3 Canadians will develop a brain disease or disorder in their lifetime
About Brain Canada
Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as a national convenor of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain, ultimately improving the health outcomes of people in Canada and around the world. Visit Braincanada.ca.
SOURCE Brain Canada
Media Contact: Melissa Arauz, Lead, Digital Communications & Stewardship, Brain Canada, [email protected]
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