// DEVELOPMENT: HEALTH
Brain health:
the key to prosperity
A healthy brain is essential for a happy and productive life. Our brains are responsible for social interaction, economic produc- tivity, communication, enjoyment and more. In this digital world char- acterised by an increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, the productivity and prosperity of our societies depend more than ever on citizens’ healthy brains. Here brain health refers to the optimal functioning in cognitive, sen- sory, social, emotional, behavioural and motor domains, allowing individ- uals to realise their full potential over their lifespans. We believe that promoting brain health should be a top and urgent priority for all G7 members. Brain dis- orders affect one in three individuals and are the leading causes of disa- bility in the world. Our populations are ageing, with fewer young people and more older people, which trans- lates into a shrinking fraction of the population who can constructively contribute to society. Declining birth rates mean fewer children. In addi- tion, a significant fraction of children have neurodevelopmental diseases
(including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, learn- ing disabilities and schizophrenia) or suboptimal environmental condi- tions (such as poor prenatal care, poor nutrition and abuse) that reduce their brains’ ability to achieve peak levels of performance and predispose them to mental health problems. These chil- dren grow up to become adults who may contribute less, or possibly not at all, to society and the economy. At the other end of the age spectrum, we are seeing a rising prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Parkinson’s. An ageing population and increasing rates of neurodevelopmental diseases and mental illness drive a sharp increase in healthcare costs, producing a grow- ing burden on our economies.
The long-term resilience of advanced economies will increasingly depend on the cognitive health of their populations. As demographic pressures intensify, brain health must be reframed as a core pillar of economic
policy, not simply a healthcare concern
Guy Rouleau, director, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro), and Stéphanie Debette, director, Paris Brain Institute
BUILDING BRAIN HEALTH FROM EARLY LIFE To increase the fraction of the population with healthy, well-
functioning brains we must act at both extremes of the age spectrum – better preventing and treating both neurodevelopmental and age-related
92 // G7 FRANCE: THE ÉVIAN SUMMIT 2026
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