The Impact of the Environment and Pollution on Cognitive Health (EPOCH) Workshop/ Roundtable

June 14, 2022

Last month, the BEC research team hosted their inaugural EPOCH workshop and roundtable event, gathering a diverse group of academics, policymakers, and community stakeholders to explore how urban environments influence cognitive health in later life. Attendees included representatives from five universities, two research institutes, government departments, non-governmental organizations, and members of the public. The discussions fostered a vital two-way dialogue, identifying the types of research that would be most meaningful for both policymakers and end-users.

The roundtable sessions focused on key neighborhood features that impact cognitive health, such as air quality, traffic safety, and pedestrian infrastructure, and how these elements should be prioritized in future studies. Additionally, attendees discussed effective strategies for disseminating this knowledge to the public and policymakers, ensuring research outcomes inform community and policy decisions.

The event was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of collaboration in identifying environmental factors that affect cognitive health. Moving forward, the EPOCH project plans to incorporate environmental data into existing studies on cognitive health, enabling a deeper understanding of these factors.

The BEC team is committed to hosting similar workshops in the future to facilitate ongoing collaboration and ensure research findings are accessible, with the ultimate goal of driving positive community change.