AUTHOR=Fitri Fasihah Irfani , Lage Carmen , Mollayeva Tatyana , Santamaria-Garcia Hernando , Chan Melissa , Cominetti Marcia R. , Daria Tselmen , Fallon Gillian , Gately Dominic , Gichu Muthoni , Giménez Sandra , Zuniga Raquel Gutierrez , Hadad Rafi , Hill-Jarrett Tanisha , O’Kelly Mick , Martinez Luis , Modjaji Paul , Ngcobo Ntkozo , Nowak Rafal , Ogbuagu Chukwuanugo , Roche Moïse , Aguzzoli Cristiano Schaffer , Shin So Young , Smith Erin , Yoseph Selam Aberra , Zewde Yared , Ayhan Yavuz TITLE=Empathy as a crucial skill in disrupting disparities in global brain health JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology VOLUME=14 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1189143 DOI=10.3389/fneur.2023.1189143 ISSN=1664-2295 ABSTRACT=

Brain health refers to the state of a person’s brain function across various domains, including cognitive, behavioral and motor functions. Healthy brains are associated with better individual health, increased creativity, and enhanced productivity. A person’s brain health is intricately connected to personal, social and environmental factors. Racial, ethnic, and social disparities affect brain health and on the global scale these disparities within and between regions present a hurdle to brain health. To overcome global disparities, greater collaboration between practitioners and healthcare providers and the people they serve is essential. This requires cultural humility driven by empathy. Empathy is a core prosocial value, a cognitive-emotional skill that helps us understand ourselves and others. This position paper aims to provide an overview of the vital roles of empathy, cooperation, and interdisciplinary partnerships. By consciously integrating this understanding in practice, leaders can better position themselves to address the diverse challenges faced by communities, promote inclusivity in policies and practices, and further more equitable solutions to the problem of global brain health.