Age-related brain diseases, such as dementia, stroke, and depression, are projected to increase dramatically as the global population ages. But this future is not inevitable—studies suggest that cases can be prevented by modifying key risk factors. Through adopting a prevention-oriented approach—framed as brain care—there is an opportunity to significantly reduce the hardship caused by these diseases.

To meet this need, leaders at Mass General Brigham founded the Global Brain Care Coalition (GBCC). From2024 through 2026, the GBCC engaged SPARC to provide strategic and operational guidance to help the GBCC scale.

That engagement began with SPARC’s comprehensive landscape analysis of the global brain health ecosystem (see A Global Imperative to Improve Brain Health below). Based on these findings, SPARC developed a five-year strategic plan and a detailed operational guide to help GBCC implement its strategy and measure progress. SPARC’s ongoing strategic and operational guidance helped jumpstart the GBCC from a founding vision to an active coalition.

As the coalition grew, SPARC published a second report (see The Global Brain Care Coalition: A Model to Put Brain Science into Action below) that examines what it takes to accelerate translating biomedical research into improved health—from how to leverage the infrastructure of an academic medical center, to how philanthropy, operational support, and community engagement all play complementary roles.