As science reshapes what's possible for cognitive care, local pharmacies are helping people turn awareness into action

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is marking Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month this June by drawing attention to an increasingly important touchpoint of community care: the everyday support pharmacies provide for cognitive health. Through its Nourish My Health initiative, NACDS and participating member pharmacies are using the month to highlight that work - and to press for policies that keep pharmacy care within reach of the communities that depend on it.

This year's observance reflects a growing understanding that brain health is something people can actively support throughout their lives - through everyday habits such as physical activity, healthy eating, social and cognitive engagement, and regular health monitoring. Acting early matters: only about half of people living with Alzheimer's ever receive a diagnosis - delaying access to care and support at a stage when both can matter most.

Pharmacies are uniquely positioned to help close the gap. Because Americans visit their pharmacy nearly ten times more often than they visit a primary care provider, pharmacists have frequent, trusted opportunities to encourage brain-healthy habits, answer everyday questions, and help patients recognize when it may be time to seek further evaluation.

Throughout Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month and beyond, NACDS member pharmacies are supporting brain health in meaningful ways, including:

• Counseling patients on the everyday habits associated with cognitive health, including staying physically active, eating well, keeping the mind engaged, and monitoring health regularly;
• Connecting patients with free memory and cognitive health screenings;
• Providing clear, evidence-based information that helps patients and caregivers understand the signs to watch for and where to turn for support.

Four in five Americans say it is easy to access healthcare services at a pharmacy, making them one of the most accessible care destinations in the country. Protecting cognitive health depends on habits reinforced consistently over time and concerns raised early rather than late, and both are far easier when trusted guidance is close at hand and available without an appointment.

"NACDS is proud to support the national focus on brain health - and to advance a future shaped by prevention, earlier detection, and stronger outcomes," NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson said. "Pharmacies offer convenient, ongoing access to the counseling, monitoring, and guidance that help people protect their cognitive health and act early when concerns arise."

Observed each June, Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month encourages Americans of all ages to make brain health a priority and to recognize how healthy habits and early detection can make a meaningful difference. Through its Nourish My Health initiative and ongoing advocacy, NACDS continues to champion the role pharmacies play in delivering accessible, personalized care that helps people and their families live healthier lives.