Advancing Brain Health (including Mental Health) for Global Societal Resilience (2026)
This statement was prepared by the National Academies of Sciences of the G7 countries, under the leadership of the Académie des sciences, to provide scientific advice to the G7 Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in France in 2026.
- Brain Research
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Healthy brains are essential to well-being, societal stability, and economic prosperity. Yet brain disorders, which now affect one in three people, are leading causes of disability and death worldwide and cost the global economy more than $5 trillion annually. Their burden rises rapidly with population ageing, environmental and social stressors, and a growing incidence of mental health challenges in younger people, with growing brain health inequalities. Breakthroughs in neuroscience, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) are creating unprecedented opportunities for research and innovation into improved brain health. Major expected economic benefits from improved brain health encompass reduced disability-related costs, protected brain capital for education, productive employment, and innovation, and growth of a new business sector for brain healthcare technology and services. The G7 is uniquely placed to turn this momentum into a driver of global transformation in pursuit of sustainable development and societal resilience.